Subhash Chandra has garnered support from ruling BJP and other MLAs across party liens, while INLD has thrown its weight behind RK Anand.
Media baron Subhash Chandra and lawyer R K Anand filed their nomination papers as Independent candidates for the second Rajya Sabha seat falling vacant from Haryana. The biennial elections to the Upper House are scheduled to be held on June 11 and today is the last date for filing nomination. While Chandra claimed to have garnered support from the ruling BJP and some MLAs cutting across party lines, main opposition Indian National Lok Dal threw its weight behind Anand, who has fought Lok Sabha election in the past as an INLD candidate. However, Anand at present is not a member of INLD, a party leader said.
Union Minister and BJP leader Birender Singh had yesterday filed nomination papers for the Upper House polls from Haryana. Asked about the candidate for the second Rajya Sabha seat, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had yesterday said, "Efforts are on with regard to the candidate. We (INLD and BJP) are hopeful that we can have a consensus. I want that both candidates should be elected unopposed." However, today's development has changed the equation.
The decision of INLD, which is accused by Congress of being BJP's 'B' team to back Anand, has made the contest an interesting one.
While Anand was accompanied by the Leader of the Opposition in the Haryana Assembly Abhay Chautala (INLD) along with other party MLAs for filing his nomination, Chandra went with some BJP and Independent MLAs for filing the papers. Chandra told reporters that he had sought support from members of the Haryana Assembly cutting across party lines.
"I have got support from many members. Independent members have given their support, BJP too has given its support. I am hopeful that I will get support from other parties as well," he said.
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 "Subhash Chandra")
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