Congress Considers Sonia Or Priyanka Gandhi For Himachal Pradesh RS Seat

The lone Rajya Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh which is falling vacant on the expiry of the six-year term of BJP national president JP Nadda on April 2 might go to senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi or her daughter Priyanka Gandhi, state Congress Chief Pratibha Singh said.

"We would discuss the matter with senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and the seat could go to them if they are willing," PTI quoted Singh as saying.

Currently, Sonia Gandhi is an MP from the Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency. However, Priyanka Gandhi is neither a member of the Lok Sabha nor the Rajya Sabha at present.

"The names of Sonia Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi Vadra can be considered if they so desire," she told media persons.

Due to health issues, Sonia has taken a step back from day-to-day politics. It has to be seen whether Priyanka gets to contest from Rae Bareli if the former UPA chairperson gets elected from the Himachal Pradesh Rajya Sabha.

The seat is falling vacant on April 2. The BJP President was elected in 2018 after the BJP returned to power in the state. Currently, all three Rajya Sabha seats in the state have been held by the BJP. Apart from Nadda, two other Rajya members from the state are Indu Goswami and Sikender Kumar.

The Congress, which has won 40 out of 68 seats in Himachal Pradesh, has begun a search for candidates after the schedule for the elections to 56 Rajya Sabha seats was announced.

The polling for the lone seat would be held next month during the Budget session (February 14 to 29) of the state assembly and the Congress candidate's victory is a foregone conclusion.