Mithi set to enter Rajya Sabha unopposed

Itanagar, Mar 16 (UNI) Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Puducherry Lt Governor Mukut Mithi is all set to get elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha, as Opposition BJP has opted out of the race on the last date of filing of nominations.

The BJP's decision has paved the way for Mr Mithi to be declared elected uncontested after the scrutiny of papers on March 17.

The BJP, while reviewing its earlier decision to field a non-party candidate of prominence to contest the lone seat in the March 26 elections, had arrived at a consensus to extend support to Mr Mithi for the seat, saying the greater cause of Arunachal would be served if a man of his stature represents the state in the Upper House.

The decision was taken in an election management and coordination committee meeting here yesterday, party sources said.

Describing Mr Mithi as the first Arunachalee to hold the constitutional post, the BJP said it had dropped the idea of fielding an Independent candidate for the RS elections as Mr Mithi would be an undisputed candidate and hoped that he would represent the entire state in true perspective.

Mr Mithi, who filed his papers on March 14 after resigning from the post of Puducherry Lt Governor on March 12, was supported by 43 Congress MLAs, 14 Independents and two Arunachal Congress (AC) Legislators, who are associate members of the ruling party in the 60-member House with one Opposition BJP member.

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