The nomination process for the Rajya Sabha elections in Rajasthan started on Monday. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have not yet announced their candidates for the three vacant seats. No nomination papers were submitted on the first day, and candidates have until June 8 to file their nominations. The scrutiny of papers will take place on June 9, with the withdrawal deadline set for June 11, and polling scheduled for June 18.
The Assembly Principal Secretary Bharat Bhushan Sharma has been appointed as the Returning Officer for the elections. Nomination papers can be filed at Room No. 106 of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. by the candidate or one of the proposers. The upcoming election holds political significance as the terms of three Rajya Sabha members from Rajasthan, including Rajendra Gehlot, Ravneet Singh Bittu, and Neeraj Dangi, are ending on June 20. While the first two MPs are from the BJP, Dangi represents the Congress.
As the nomination process progresses, the BJP is actively engaging in consultations to finalize its candidates. The party’s national office-bearers, including BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh, are involved in discussions with state presidents from states participating in the Rajya Sabha polls. The BJP’s strength in the 200-member Assembly of Rajasthan positions it well to secure two of the three seats up for grabs.
In contrast, there has been limited visible activity within the Rajasthan Congress regarding candidate selection. Party leaders have indicated that the final decision will be made by the Congress high command in New Delhi. However, internal discussions on potential candidates have commenced. Following the conclusion of the party’s district presidents’ training camp in Pushkar, the focus is expected to shift towards the Rajya Sabha elections.
Congress party officials have highlighted demands from various sections within the party for representation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and minority communities in the nominations. Senior leaders are also vying for consideration as the party gears up to select its candidate for the single seat it is likely to win based on its Assembly strength. The current political landscape in the Rajasthan Assembly favors the ruling BJP, with expectations that the party will secure two seats, leaving one for the Congress.
The primary political intrigue now lies in the candidate selection process, with both the BJP and Congress yet to disclose their nominees. Speculation is rife in political circles in Jaipur as the nomination deadline approaches.
