Likely names begin doing rounds in Himachal Cong

Race for the lone Rajya Sabha seat in the state that would be contested for in the February 7 election is likely to hot up.

Of the three Rajya Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh, the term of the seat represented by BJP’s Shanta Kumar will come to an end. But, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) having just 26 legislators in the 68-member assembly, it is unlikely that the saffron party would enter the fray this time. “The party has not yet decided anything so far, but there is strong likelihood that we may not put up a candidate,” BJP state party chief Satpal Singh Satti told Hindustan Times.

In the Congress, however, names are being proposed covertly and lobbying for the Rajya Sabha seat is likely to intensify as the poll date nears Name of former Rajya Sabha member Viplove Thakur is also doing the rounds.

Senior Cong ress leader Viplove Thakur, who has served on many positions in the government, had also headed the state unit of the party. Apart from being backed by a section of legislators, Thakur has a clout in Delhi. Meanwhile, chief minister Virbhadra Singh is said to be covertly backing the candidature of his close confidante Harsh Mahajan - currently the vice-president of the Himachal Congress and chairman of Himachal Pradesh State Co-operative Bank. Mahajan, who has been out of electoral politics for long, laid such talks to rest: “I am not in the race. I will not enter the fray, even if somebody offers me Rajya Sabha seat on a platter.”

There is also possibility that senior Congress leaders from outside the state could contest for the Rajya Sabha seat. Speculations are rife that state party chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, too, is vying for the ticket. “AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi has directed all state party chiefs to strengthen the party. It’s the party high command that will take a final call on Rajya Sabha,” said Sukhu.

Former speaker Gangu Ram Musafir’s name is also doing the rounds. A section of party men is also pushing for irrigation and public health minister Vidya Stokes, which appears to be unlikely. With the All India Congress Committee’s session slated for Januray 17, Congress leaders are likely to rush to Delhi.

ELECTION SCHEDULE

The Election Commission has announced the poll schedule for 55 Rajya Sabha seats, including one in Himachal Pradesh.

The poll will be held on February 7 and the notification for the biennial polls will be issued on January 21 and nominations can be filed till January 28. Nomination papers will be scrutinised on January 29, and withdrawal of nomination papers will be done on January 31.