Aiyar's nomination to Rajya Sabha misuse of power by govt: BJP

BJP today termed as misuse of power by the government Rajya Sabha nomination to Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar and said it was against the spirit of the Constitution.

Taking strong exception to nomination of the former union minister to the Upper House for his contribution to literature, BJP spokesman Ramnath Kovind quoted Article 80 of the Constitution which states that people who have special knowledge or experience in the field of arts, literature, science and social service can be nominated.

He claimed that Aiyar did not qualify in these categories as he has been a "committed worker" of the Congress. 

"Aiyar's nomination is against the spirit of the Constitution and violates all established conventions. This is misuse of power by the present Congress-led government," Kovind said.

Aiyar had lost the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. 

He is one of the five people nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the government, others being lyricist Javed Akhtar, educationist Balchandra Mungekar, actress-dancer B Jayashree and anthropologist Ram Dayal Munda.