RS polls: SAD-BJP alliance may get 3 seats,Congress 2

The election process for these seats will begin from the second week of March and voting will take place at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on March 26,which is also the last day of the state budget session. The term of these five members of Parliament will end on April 9. The present seat structure is likely to change this time in Punjab. When the election for these seats took place last time,the Congress was in power and bagged three seats. Now that the SAD-BJP alliance is ruling,it may get three seats — two will go to the Akalis and one to the BJP. It is likely that SAD will nominate its secretary general Suhdev Singh Dhindsa,who is also a former Union minister,and Naresh Gujral,though no formal decision has been taken yet. The final stamp is likely to be given in the forthcoming core committee meeting of the party.

On the other hand,there are many contenders for the lone BJP seat. Among them are recently elected state chief Ashwani Kumar,his predecessor Prof Rajinder Bhandari and veteran leaders Bajramji Dass Tandoon and Madan Mohan Mittal. In the Congress camp,it is almost certain that Gill,who is handling the Commonwealth Games and is a Cabinet member,will be nominated and get re-elected. A Dalit leader may be considered for the other seat.

On July 7,the terms of two more Rajya Sabha members from the state will end. These seats are currently held by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni of the Congress and Raj Mohinder Singh Majithia of the SAD. While the Congress will re-nominate Soni,SAD has to choose from senior leaders Tota Singh,Balwinder Singh Bhunder,Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema,political adviser of the CM,and Harcharan Bains,media adviser to CM. Hardev Singh Mattewal and J S Bajaj are among the non-political leaders.