Kalraj Mishra, Vinay Katiyar, S Mittal file papers for UP RS

Lucknow, Mar 16 (UNI) Senior BJP leaders Kalraj Mishra and Vinay Katiyar today filed their nomination papers for the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha in Uttar Pradesh.

Industrialist Sudanshu Mittal filed his nomination papers as an Independent candidate.

According to information available, the name of Mr Mittal was proposed by rebel BJP MLAs, who are now unattached in the house, along with some independents and the lone Akhil Bharatiya Congress member Akhilesh Singh.

The industralist is reported to have close links with top BJP leaders at the Centre.

The BSP had already given tickets to three candidates even though it can get two clear seats of the ten RS seats at stake. The party was banking on the 38 rebel MLAs who they claim as BSP members.

Altogether six candidates each have filed their nominations for the 10 RS and 13 legislative council seats in the state.

The elections, if required, would be held on March 28.

Meanwhile three official candidates of the BJP -- Ramapati Ram Tripathi, Ashok Dhawan and Ramnaresh Rawat -- also filed their nominations for the legislative council seats.

Tomorrow is the last date for filing nominations for the ten Rajya Sabha and 13 legislative council seats for the biennial polls in the state. Scrutiny of the nominations would be done on March 18 and withdrawal of papers can be done till March 20.

BSP had already nominated three candidates each for the RS and council seats while the Congress has announced to give ticket to Siraj Mehendi for the council seat.

While for BSP Balihari, Satish Chandra and Moon Kadh filed their nominations for the RS seats, Babu Singh Kushawaha, Jugal Kishore and Sunil Kumar had submitted their nominations for the legislative council seats.

Polling would take place on March 28 from 1000 hours to 1500 hours and counting of votes would be taken up thereafter.

The ruling Samajwadi Party with the help of its allies Rashtriya Lok Dal and other smaller parties was set to win six out of the ten RS seats, while the BJP and BSP aimed at getting two seats each.

As per the the assembly strength, the SP and its allies have 235 members (SP-194, RLD-15, CPI(M)- 2, Loktantrik Congress-2, Akhil Bharatiya Congress-1, Unattached-5 and Independent 16) while the BJP has 83, BSP 67 and Congress 16. One seat is vacant.

A candidate has to get 37 first preferential votes for winning the Rajya Sabha elections.

Similarly in the 13 Council seats at stake, the ruling alliance stands to win eight seats, while the BJP and BSP can take away two seats each. For winning the council seat, a candidate has to secure 29 first preferential votes.

UNI MB ARS RP DS1607