The ensuing Rajya Sabha elections slated for March 23, will be interesting to watch as two of the Union Ministers in Narendra Modi Cabinet Ravi Shankar Prasad and Dharmendra Pradhan are retiring on April 2.
The biennial polls assume significance as either of the two ministers could win the RS seat from Bihar given the dwindling strength of the BJP in the State Assembly.
As per the rules, a candidate hoping to become a Rajya Sabha member should have the support of at least 35 MLAs in the 243-member Vidhan Sabha. The BJP, with 52 MLAs in its kitty, can hope to win only one seat.
“In that case, either Prasad or Pradhan could emerge victorious. The other person (left out) could be accommodated from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh where RS poll for ten seats are slated for March 23,” said a ruling party source. He added that though it was for the party high command to take a call on the candidature, chances are Pradhan, who originally hails from Odisha but became a Rajya Sabha member from Bihar, may eventually be shifted to UP.
Out of the six RS seats which will fall vacant, three JD (U) members are retiring. This includes Bashishta Narain Singh, Mahendra Prasad alias King Mahendra and Anil Kumar Sahni.
The sixth seat fell vacant last year when rebel JD (U) MP Ali Anwar was disqualified for his anti-party activities. (Election for Sharad Yadav’s seat will not be held as the matter is being heard in the court).
With 71 MLAs, the JD (U) hopes to win two RS seats. Its secretary-general KC Tyagi is one of the front-runners for Rajya Sabha berth.
The RJD, the single largest party with 79 MLAs (original strength 80 but one legislator died recently), could hope to bag two Rajya Sabha seats easily. The remaining surplus votes could be transferred to its ally, the Congress, which has 27 MLAs.
“Given the numerical strength, the Congress would like to contest for one RS seat. However, it’s for the central leadership to take a call on the issue,” said Kaukab Kadri, acting president of the Bihar Congress.
Deccan Herald
