Subhash Chandra files papers for RS

Backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), media baron Subhash Chandra (pictured) filed his nomination for election to the Rajya Sabha (RS) on Tuesday, a move that could scuttle the Congress party’s chances of winning a third seat from Rajasthan.

The other candidates who filed their papers from the state on Tuesday are Congress leaders Mukul Wasnik, Pramod Tiwari and Randeep Singh Surjewala, and BJP’S Ghanshyam Tiwari.

Essel Group chairman Chandra is currently an RS member from Haryana and his term is going to expire on August 1. The filing of papers by him as an independent prompted Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to allege that the BJP wanted to indulge in horse trading. The ruling Congress in Rajasthan with its 108 MLAS in the state Assembly is set to win two of the four seats going to the elections on June 10.

After winning two seats, the Congress will have 26 surplus votes, 15 short of the required 41 to win the third seat. On the other hand, the BJP has 71 MLAS in the state Assembly and set to win one seat, after which it will be left with 30 surplus votes.

Gehlot termed the filing of papers by Chandra as a “game” by the BJP, alleging that the party wants to indulge in horse trading as it does not have the required numbers.

“We are going to win three seats. I don’t know why the BJP has played the game,” Gehlot said.

“They did the same 15 years ago but had to announce the withdrawal of support at 12 at night. They said that the candidate had promised them that he had extra votes but he could not arrange,” he told reporters outside the Assembly building after the Congress candidates filed their nominations.

Congress candidate Randeep Surjewala claimed that his party has a total of 126 MLAS by its side, which included 108 MLAS of the party. BJP leaders have also expressed confidence of winning the second seat and appealed to independents and MLAS of other parties to vote for Chandra.