AITC, Cong candidates file nomination for R S biennial elections

Kolkata, Mar 17 (UNI) All India Trinamool Congress candidate Mukul Roy and Congress nominee Subrata Mukherjee filed their nominations today for the biennial Rajya Sabha election from West Bengal.

The election has been necessitated for five Rajya Sabha seats, four of which are currently held by Mr Nilotpal Basu (CPI-M), Mr Dipankar Mukherjee (CPI-M), Mr Manoj Bhattacharya (RSP) and Mr Jayanta Bhattacharya (Congress)--all of whom are set to retire. The fifth seat fell vacant following the death of CPI (M) member Biplab Dasgupta.

Mr Mukherjee, who left Trinamool Congress before the last municipal election, told reporters that he was contesting at the directive of the Congress high command.

He said his fight was against the CPI (M) and he was hopeful about his victory.

Mr Mukul Roy, the General Secretary of Trinamool Congress, said the election would witness a ''grand alliance'' of the people.

With Mr Mukherjee and Mr Roy, altogether six candidates have filed their nominations. Today was the last day for filing nominations.

The state Assembly has at present 290 members with four seats remaining vacant.

Scrutiny of nomination would take place tomorrow while the last date for withdrawal of nomination was fixed for March 20.

UNI KDG KK LR KN1611