Indu elected unopposed to RS

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 18

Indu Goswami of the BJP was today declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from the lone seat in Himachal. She was the only candidate in the fray and her election was announced by Secretary, Vidhan Sabha, Yashpal Sharma after expiry of deadline for withdrawal of nomination.

The seat is falling vacant following the retirement of Congress member Viplove Thakur whose term is expiring on April 2. With this, the BJP would have two out of three seats from Himachal and a woman member from Kangra district would replace a woman member from the same district.

BJP national president JP Nadda and Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma are other two Rajya Sabha members from the state.

Indu Goswami thanked the MLAs, including the Opposition, for electing her unopposed. Indu said she would work in the best interests of the state. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, state party chief Rajiv Bindal, ministers and host of party leaders who were present on the occasion congratulated Indu Goswami on her election.

Goswami has become the eighth woman from Himachal to be elected to the Rajya Sabha. Born on April 12, 1967, Goswami has been associated with the party for 35 years and held several posts, including that of BJP mandal Mahila Morcha president, BJYM district vice president, BJYM state secretary and vice president, state general secretary of BJP Mahila Morcha, member of BJP state executive and BJP state secretary.

A former president of Himachal Pradesh Mahila Morcha, Goswami quit the post in July last year. She contested Assembly elections in 2017 from Palampur constituency but did not win. She also worked as chairperson of State Women Commission Himachal Pradesh from 1998-2000 and Chairperson of State Social Welfare Board Himachal Pradesh from 2000-2003.