But, Sonkar and Bishnoi withdrew their nominations on Thursday to let Anil Agarwal continue as BJP's ninth candidate in fray
With two out of 11 BJP candidates for Rajya Sabha polls — Vidhya Sagar Sonkar and Salil Bishnoi — withdrawing their nomination papers on Thursday, polls for the Upper House on March 23 is open for horse-trading and defections.
After withdrawal of the two BJP candidates, there are 11 candidates contesting for 10 Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh. After initially announcing names of eight candidates, including Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the BJP fielded its ninth candidate Anil Agarwal on the last day of filing nominations to queer the pitch for unopposed elections.
After that, BJP fielded two more candidates — Vidhya Sagar Sonkar and Salil Bishnoi to, thus taking its tally to 11. But, Sonkar and Bishnoi withdrew their nominations on Thursday to let Anil Agarwal continue as BJP's ninth candidate in fray.
With 47 votes in hand, the SP has fielded Jaya Bachchan for fourth consecutive term of Upper House while BSP has given ticket to Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. With 19 votes, the berth for Rajya Sabha came to BSP after Mayawati struck a deal with SP for their 10 extra votes for her party's support to their candidates in by-polls.
Seven-member Congress and one-member RLD have announced support to the BSP candidate.
After facing humiliating defeat in by-polls on Gorakhur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats, the BJP will put in all its might to ensure win of its ninth candidate Anil Agarwal against the BSP candidate to seek political revenge on BSP Supremo Mayawati for its bypoll debacle.
PLAYING THE GAME
RS election from Uttar Pradesh had seemed to be unopposed as of March 12, but the BJP fielded 3 more candidates of whom 2 withdrew their papers on Thursday.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Arun Jaitley")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}