Jaipur, 15 February (HS). On Thursday, Chunnilal Garasia and Madan Rathod filed nomination papers on behalf of BJP for the biennial elections for three Rajya Sabha seats from Rajasthan. Both the candidates presented two sets of nomination papers each to Returning Officer Mahavir Prasad Sharma.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, MP CP Joshi and former minister Rajendra Rathore were present at the time of Garasia's nomination. At the time of Rathod's nomination, Chief Minister Sharma, Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa and former Chief Minister Raje were present.
Thursday was the last day for filing nominations for the elections being held for three Rajya Sabha seats in Rajasthan. On Wednesday, former national president of Congress Sonia Gandhi filed nomination for Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan. Sonia is currently a member of the Lok Sabha from Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. Now he has filed nomination for Rajya Sabha for the first time.
There are 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Rajasthan, out of which elections are to be held for three seats. These seats are becoming vacant on April 3, 2024. The tenure of Dr. Manmohan Singh of Congress and Bhupendra Yadav of BJP is ending on April 3, 2024, while Dr. Kirodilal Meena of BJP had resigned from Rajya Sabha after winning the assembly elections. According to the strength of MLAs, victory of BJP candidate on two out of three seats and Congress candidate on one is certain.
Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on Friday i.e. 16th February. Candidates will be able to withdraw their names till 20th February. At present the elections are likely to be held unopposed as BJP has not declared its third candidate and Congress has not declared its second candidate. Due to unopposed elections, there will be no voting on 27th February. Since 20th February is the last date for withdrawal of nominations. Probably the result can be declared in the evening of the same day. According to the formula of Rajya Sabha elections, first preference votes of 51 MLAs are required for one seat. BJP has 115 MLAs, so the party can win only two seats. BJP does not have the numerical strength to win the third seat while one seat is certain to go to Congress's account.