Supriya Sule likely to be elected unopposed

Mumbai, Sep 5 (UNI) Supriya Sule, daughter of union Agriculture Minister and NCP president Sharad Pawar who filed her nominations for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat is likely to be elected unopposed.

The last date of filing of nominations is September eight. The election if required will be held on September 18. The seat fell vacant due to the death of sitting NCP MLA Vasant Chavan.

With the Congress backing her candidature and the ruling Democratic Front government enjoying comfortable majority in the 289 member Legislative Assembly,the electoral college of the by-election, Ms Sule is all set to make a smooth entry into the Rajya Sabha.

Shiv Sena-BJP sources admit that they do not stand a chance more so because of the open ballot system of voting.

However, BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde said the issue of Rajya Sabha by-election and the saffron alliance's stand will be discussed at the meeting of Sena-BJP leaders on September seven, a day after the Ganpati visarjan(Idol immersion).

In the 289 member house, Congress has 73, NCP 71, PWP 2, CPM 3, RPI (A), ABS, BBM, Swatantra Bharat Party one each, JSS 4, Independents 19, Shiv Sena 56, BJP 54. There are two vacancies due to the resignations of shiv sena MLAs who have joined the congress.

Even though NCP has expelled Ms Shalinitai Patil from the party and has conveyed to the Legislature secretariat that the strength of the party in the legislative assembly is 70, Ms Patil has to vote as per the party whip to avoid prospects of disqualification as member of the house.

Late Vasant Chavan was re-elected in April 2006 and Ms Sule has almost full term of six years.

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