Stage set for Supriya Sule's unopposed election to RS

Mumbai, Sep 8 (UNI) The stage is set for Supriya Sule's unopposed entry into the Rajya Sabha with no political party filing nomination on the last day today for the byelection scheduled for September 18.

Ms Sule, the only child of NCP president and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar is backed by the Congress.

Mr V D Joshi, returning officer of the byelection, however, said Ashok Shankar Patil from Alibag and Milind Kisanrao Salve from Kalyan had filed their nomination today.

''These nominations do not have proposer or seconder. Nor have they deposited the necessary amount. Similarly, they have not submitted the affidavit of their assets and liabilities. Earlier, Bharatlal Mohanlal Bhatia who filed the nomination has also not adhered to the required norms'', he said.

With the three nominations set to be rejected in the scrutiny tommorrow, the path is clear for Supriya's unopposed election.The last date of withdrawal of nomination is September 11.

The seat had fallen vacant after the death of Vasant Chavan on July 11 this year.

Shiv Sena-BJP have decided not to field a candidate as it does not have the required numbers in the 289 member Legislative Assembly which is the electoral college for the polls.

Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray has ''warmly welcomed'' Supriya in politics and has even stated that her nomination to the Rajya Sabha was the first politically good decision taken by her father and his one time friend Sharad Pawar.

UNI MR ADG MSJ KP1832