Punia files papers for RS election

LUCKNOW: National Commission for Scheduled Castes chairman PL Punia on Friday filed his nomination papers as Congress candidate for one of the 10 Rajya Sabha seats, election for which will take place on November 20.

As Punia filed his nomination papers before principal secretary Vidhan Sabha Pradeep Dubey at about 11.30 am, senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and minister for backward classes welfare Ambika Chaudhary’s presence there marked the party’s support for him. Since the Congress has only 28 MLAs, SP’s support is crucial for Punia’s election.

“We wish that all parties fighting communal forces come together. A beginning in this direction was made at the residence of SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in New Delhi on Thursday. I am here to extend the SP’s support to Punia. If voting takes place the SP will vote in favour of the Congress candidate,” said Chaudhary after filing of nomination papers.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders Madhusudan Mistry, Nirmal Khatri, Pradeep Mathur and Pramod Tiwari did not speak much about their party’s proximity with the Samajwadi Party in Rajya Sabha elections. “Let us not read too much into it,” said Mistry and Khatri.