Rajeev Chandrasekhar files Rajya Sabha nomination

For now, the Congress holds two of these seats, NCP also holds two seats while the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena share the remaining two. Voting to elect 58 members to the Rajya Sabha from different states will take place on March 23.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi has approved twelve names from his party to contest the biennial Rajya Sabha elections.

From Jharkhand, the party has chosen Sameer Uranv, who is said to be close to CM Raghubar Das.

Meanwhile, the Congress too has issued its Rajya Sabha candidates’ list.

The nominations of Rathwa, Valera, and Rana were filed with the deadline half an hour away.

But the airport authorities refused permission since re-carpeting was in progress.

The third candidate of the Congress, which has 123 members, is expected to emerge victorious with possible support from seven JD (S) rebels and a few independent Legislators.

All the four seats are held by the BJP.

Independent candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar filed nomination for Rajya Sabha as Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate on Monday.

The BJP is likely to improve the tally. Political observers, however, believe given their strenuous relations, it will be a herculean task for BJP leadership to convince Sena president Uddhav Thackeray to have his MLAs cast votes in its favour. The Congress can also send two candidates. The Nationalist Congress Party’s 41 votes will be good enough for its candidate Vandana Chavan.

In August a year ago, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel struggled but managed to to retain his Rajya Sabha seat against the backdrop of resignation and cross-voting by some Congress MLAs. The TRS has the strength in the Legislature to ensure victory for all of its three candidates.

Saroj Pandey, who had been a MP from Durg Lok Sabha, had lost the previous Lok Sabha elections. His wife and son lost local elections recently.

While Patel could not be contacted for a comment, party spokesperson Manish Doshi said Patel was not happy with the selection of Yajnik as a Rajya Sabha nominee.

Yagnik, though a Congress member, has not been active with the party and is seen mostly on television debates.