Priyanka Gandhi or Anand Sharma? Whom will Congress send to Rajya Sabha from Himachal Pradesh; polls on Feb 27
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The Newz Radar
SHIMLA: As the tenure of Rajya Sabha MP from Himachal Pradesh and BJP national president JP Nadda draws to a close on April 2, the political landscape in the state braces for an electoral shuffle. The Election Commission has issued a notification for elections to be held for a total of 56 Rajya Sabha seats across the country, including one falling vacant in Himachal Pradesh. The election are to be held on February 27.
In the corridors of Himachal’s political circles, the speculation is rife, with the names of prominent figures surfacing as potential contenders for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi’s name resonates prominently, signalling a potential bid for representation in the upper house from Himachal. Alongside her, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma emerges as another formidable contender for the position. He has represented Himachal earlier too.
The notification for the elections will be issued on February 8 and the nomination deadline will be February 15. The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on February 16, followed by the withdrawal of candidate names on February 20. The voting process will take place on February 27, with results expected on the same day.
The candidate of the ruling Congress in the state is expected to emerge victorious. The prospect of Priyanka Gandhi’s nomination holds particular intrigue, given her ties with Himachal Pradesh. She has even built a house at Chharabra near Shimla, prompting speculation of her potential candidacy. The Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government may opt to nominate her or else her mother Sonia Gandhi should Priyanka choose to forego candidature.
Anand Sharma, a former Union Minister who belongs to Shimla, is another formidable contender for the Rajya Sabha seat. Having previously served as a Rajya Sabha MP from Himachal Pradesh, his experience and influence add depth to the pool of contenders vying for representation in the upper house.
