With biennial election announced for 55 Rajya Sabha seats across 16 States of the country on February 7, Himachal Pradesh may see an easy contest with BJP which is unlikely to field any candidate for the only seat giving Congress an advantage.
The only seat in Himachal Pradesh which will be open for election will be of BJP veteran Shanta Kumar whose term as Rajya Sabha MP would end in April. Running short of strength with 26 MlAs, BJP may not field any candidate for the seat.
In 2012, when BJP was in power, Congress had not fielded any candidate against BJP’s JP Nadda who won the election without any contest. Congress at that time did not have numbers at their side to ensure win and therefore, had not fielded any candidate.
“We have not taken any call in any of the party meeting on the seat as of now but it is unlikely that the party will field any candidate as we are short of numbers,” said a senior BJP leader. On the other hand it will be interesting to see who will the Congress field for the seat as there are many probable candidates.
Former HPCC president Viplove Thakur who was also a Rajya Sabha MP till 2012, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh loyalist Harsh Mahajan, Gangu Ram Musafir or HPCC president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu all are in fray for the single seat.
The loyalists of Virbhadra Singh are leaving no stone unturned to lobby to get the seat. Sources say that it is also likely that Sukhu may also get a chance for Rajya Sabha.
“It is up to the Congress high command to decide the candidate for Rajya Sabha, State unit will not send any names for their consideration. State election committee will meet on January 21 to discuss the probable names for lok Sabha,” said Sukhu.
Sources said that Congress may field former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who lost the Assembly election to AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, for the Rajya Sabha seat.