No women in BJP’s list of Rajya Sabha nominees

Even though BJP is a strong votary of the Women’s Reservation Bill, the party has not nominated a single woman to the Rajya Sabha.

The BJP has neither renominated its veterans — Najma Heptullah or Hema Malini — or picked up any of the fresh faces like actor-politician Smriti Irani and Karnataka leader Shobha Karandlaje.

The party is set to win at least a dozen Upper House seats.

Though certain party leaders were hopeful that Najma and Hema would be accommodated in the next list, it is unlikely they would make it. Besides, the remaining seats in Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Orissa are the ones where the arithmetic is against the BJP.

Legal luminary Ram Jethmalani’s desire to be nominated on a BJP ticket for the Rajya Sabha did not materialise.

Significantly, Jethmalani had the support of LK Advani, but the proposal fell through as he wanted a clear seat, something the party was unable to provide.

“The BJP has an outside chance of winning in Rajasthan with the support of Independent MLAs.

Journalist Chandan Mitra and BJP spokesperson Tarun Vijay were among four candidates nominated for elections to Upper House.

Mitra has been nominated from Madhya Pradesh while Vijay will represent Uttarakhand. Anil Madhav Dave (MP) and VP Singh (Rajasthan) have also been nominated.