RS Uttaranchal seat: BJP's loss likely to be Congress gain

Dehradun, Mar 10 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha seat from Uttaranchal, to be vacated by BJP's Sushma Swaraj, is likely to go to Congress.

In the 71-member Uttaranchal Assembly, including one nominated member, BJP has 19 MLAs, BSP seven and regional party Uttarakhand Kranti Dal has four MLAs.

Considering the numbers, it is sure that the RS seat to be vacated by Ms Swaraj on completion of her two years term in April, would go to Congress.

With the possibility of Congress gaining the seat, names of many contenders from the party including Chief Minister N D Tiwari are in the air. The possibility of Mr Tiwari contesting has popped up with his recent desire to quit office.

Other names include former Union Minister Satpal Maharaj, Dhirendra Pratap and Mayor Manorma Sharma, whose supporters even forwarded a metre-long appeal to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The other two Rajya Sabha seats from Uttaranchal are occupied by Harish Rawat and Satish Sharma (both from Congress).

Filing of nominations opened today with the issuance of the notification for the elections. The nominations could be filed till March 17, scrutiny would be conducted on March 18 and March 20 would be the last date for the withdrawal.

Election, if required, would be held on March 28 from 0900 hs to 1600 hrs.

UNI LPT SHB RP DS1651