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Haryana Rajya Sabha Race Heats Up: BJP, Congress, Independent File Nominations

Three candidates have filed nominations for two Rajya Sabha seats from Haryana, setting up a competitive election. The BJP has fielded former MP Sanjay Bhatia, while the Congress has nominated retired officer Karamvir Singh Boudh in his electoral debut. Independent candidate and former INLD leader Satish Nandal's entry has made the contest more intriguing. The election, requiring 31 votes to win, will be held on March 16 in the 90-member Haryana Assembly.

Key Points: Haryana Rajya Sabha Nominations: BJP, Congress, Independent in Fray

  • Three candidates for two seats
  • BJP fields Sanjay Bhatia
  • Congress fields Karamvir Boudh
  • Independent Satish Nandal enters race
2 min read

Three candidates file nominations for two Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana

BJP's Sanjay Bhatia, Congress' Karamvir Boudh, and Independent Satish Nandal file for two Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana. Election on March 16.

"fellow MLAs had suggested that an Independent candidate should also be in the fray - Satish Nandal"

Chandigarh, March 5

BJP's Sanjay Bhatia and Congress' Karamvir Singh Boudh on Thursday filed their nominations here for two Rajya Sabha seats from Haryana that fell vacant following the completion of the terms of BJP members Kiran Choudhry and Ram Chander Jangra.

BJP leader Satish Nandal also filed his nomination as an Independent candidate, making the contest more competitive. With three candidates in the fray for two seats, the election could turn into a closely watched contest.

Accompanying Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and other senior party leaders, former Member of Parliament Bhatia, who is considered close to Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, has long experience in organisational politics and has a background in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Bhatia has also served as state general secretary of the BJP.

He has been a member of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs, the Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament, and the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

In an attempt to consolidate its Dalit vote bank, the Congress has fielded Boudh in his maiden electoral contest.

Accompanied by 34 Congress MLAs, including former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Boudh, a resident of Ambala, retired from the state Civil Secretariat as an administrative officer.

After filing his nomination, he thanked the Congress high command.

Meanwhile, Nandal, a resident of Bohar village in Rohtak, reached the Vidhan Sabha around 2 p.m. and filed his nomination. He was accompanied by Independent MLAs Savitri Jindal, Devendra Kadyan and Rajesh Joon.

Before filing his nomination, Nandal told the media that fellow MLAs had suggested that an Independent candidate should also be in the fray, which is why he decided to contest.

Nandal, who hails from the Garhi-Sampla-Kiloi Assembly segment in Rohtak district, is a former Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader and a political rival of Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

He unsuccessfully contested three consecutive Assembly elections from Garhi-Sampla-Kiloi against Hooda -- in 2009 and 2014 as an INLD candidate, and in 2019 as a BJP nominee.

In the 90-member Haryana Assembly, a candidate requires 31 votes to win a Rajya Sabha seat. While the ruling BJP enjoys the support of 48 legislators, including three Independents, the Congress has 37 MLAs.

The contest gained interest following the nomination of Nandal as an Independent candidate. The election will be held on March 16.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Good to see Congress fielding Karamvir Singh Boudh, focusing on the Dalit vote bank. Representation matters. Hope he brings fresh perspective if elected. Though with Congress's current MLA strength, it will be a close call.
V
Vikram M
Sanjay Bhatia's extensive experience in parliamentary committees is a plus point. We need such experienced people in the Rajya Sabha who understand the legislative process, not just party loyalists.
A
Aman W
Nandal's entry makes it spicy! 😄 From INLD to BJP and now Independent. Looks like he has a personal score to settle with Hooda sahab. This is typical Haryana politics - full of twists and rivalries.
P
Priya S
While the political maneuvering is interesting, I hope whoever gets elected actually works for Haryana's development. Rajya Sabha members should rise above party politics on issues like water sharing, farmers' problems, and industrial growth for the state.
D
David E
Following this from abroad. The number game is fascinating. BJP has 48, needs 31 per candidate. Congress has 37, just enough for one. The 3 independents backing Nandal could really upset the calculations. March 16 will be telling.
N
Nikhil C
Respectfully

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