New Delhi, July 21
Congress nominee for the Rajya Sabha deputy chairpersonship K. Rehman Khan is heading for a win in a symbolic contest tomorrow against Shiv Sena’s candidate Eknath Thakur.
Since Mr Thakur, who filed his nomination today, has been asked by Shiv Sena supremo Balasahib Thackeray to enter the contest, the BJP and other NDA allies claimed that they were not aware of the Shiv Sena’s move.
A single set of nominations supporting Mr Thakur’s candidature was filed by party MP Sanjay Nirupam while there were 13 set of nominations for Mr Khan filed by members from various political parties.
Among those who filed nominations supporting Mr Khan included Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, BSP leader Mayawati, RPI leader R.S. Gavai and Samajwadi Party leader Udai Pratap Singh.
Meanwhile, the BJP has deputed general secretary Pramod Mahajan to discuss the issue with Mr Thackeray, party spokesperson Sushma Swaraj told newspersons here.
Sources said Mr Azad was likely to talk to Shiv Sena chief for convincing him to withdraw Mr Thakur from the contest.
Asked about the party’s stand if the Sena insisted on a contest, Ms Swaraj said, “We will take a decision tomorrow.”
As for Mr Khan’s candidature, she said the BJP’s plan was “neither to propose nor oppose” as it had wanted a consensus non-BJP, non- Congress
candidate.
