By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Since BJP candidate Bhuban Gam won the Majuli bye-election by defeating his nearest rival candidate Chittaranjan Basumatary with a margin of 42,141 votes, the Saffron Party’s chance to win 2 vacant seats in Rajya Sabha looks bright with if everything goes well, 1 of the 2 seats may go to Party’s National VP Baijayant Jay Panda, sources said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has already made it clear that BJP and its allies will convincingly win in both the RS seats from the state. Sources said, after BJP won Majuli MLA seat, there is a gap of only one seat to bag to Upper House seats.
Sources said, 42 votes are required to ensure the victory of the second candidate and the BJP led alliance already has 41 MLAs. BJP have 83 votes (41+42) and 1 short of victory on both RS seats, sources added.
The Northern States of Assam will see 2 vacancies in April as Ranee Narah, Ripun Bora will retire from Upper House.
If political grapevines are to be believed, BJP Central leadership is seriously considering name of its National VP and 4th times, former MP, Jay Panda for a Rajya Sabha seat from Assam, polls for which will be held on March 31.
ECI will issue of Notifications on March 14 while last date of making nominations is March, 21, scrutiny of nominations by 22, last date for withdrawal of candidatures by 24 while polling will be held on March 31.
With poll results of State Assembly elections and as well as Assam civic body polls were out, the BJP central leadership may take a call on its Rajya Sabha candidates. Since Congress is all set to lose 2 Rajya Sabha seats, that would go to BJP, Baijayant Panda’s chance looks bright, sources added.
It may be noted here that BJP National VP Jay Panda, was earlier served twice each in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha and was a 4th times former MP from Odisha. Baijayant Panda’s recent meeting with Assam Chief Minister Hemant Biswa Sharma and close door meeting with Assam BJP leaders including State president, Bhabesh Kalita in Guwahati, speaks a lot about the above mentioned possibilities.
The result of the Rajya Sabha elections in the five states will have a bearing on the Presidential election and will also usher in changes in the upper house of Parliament.
