Race on as contenders eye BJP nomination for RS seats

Lucknow: With the exception of top leadership, the party has made it clear those above 70 years will not be considered for an RS seat. The exception from UP could be Laxmi Kant Bajpai former state BJP chief. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is another major contender.

The BJP strategists are keeping an eye on if the main opposition Samajwadi Party would like to force a contest by fielding four candidates, while being sure of an outright win of only three of the SP nominees for the Rajya Sabha polls. Aware that a BJP nomination would mean an assured win, the list of contenders for these polls is increasing rapidly, with claimants not just from the party but from the opposition too, said party leaders. By July, 11 more vacancies would open up in legislative council, and based on the current strength of parties, the BJP is likely to bag 9 of these with SP being the only opposition party that would be in a position to send a couple of members to the council. In a long time, the BSP won’t be in a position to send even a single member to the legislative council.