Anand Sharma to get renominated to Rajya Sabha from HP​

Highly placed sources in Congress on Saturday confirmed that Sharma will be party’s candidate for the lone seat which will fall vacant on completion of BJP member Bimla Kashyap Sood’s six-year term.

If BJP decides not to field it’s candidate, Sharma will be elected unopposed to the Upper House.

As one of Congress’ top leaders, considered close to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Sharma had served as a union minister twice. He held key portfolios of commerce with cabinet rank, beside having held portfolio of textiles, I&B and external affairs.

Sharma, 63, is expected to file his nomination papers on March 9, say congress leaders.

When contacted, Sharma, however, declined to comment. “I can’t comment on my candidatures till the party high command makes a formal announcement. I can only say Himachal Pradesh is my own state and there is a vacancy. It’s a fact. Let’s wait and see what the party decides. Currently, I am a sitting MP from Rajasthan for the Upper House, holding an important post as Deputy Leader in the Parliament.”

Back in the state, earlier there had been a quiet lobbying in favour of cabinet minister Vidya Stokes. One section of the party (close to Chief Minister’s camp) also had floated name of Kapil Sibal, who is also defending CM in the CBI, Income Tax and ED on cases against him in the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court.

Sibal had also appeared in Himachal Pradesh High Court and got relief for Virbhadra Singh against the CBI’s move about a possible arrest.

Party insiders reveal, PCC president Sukhwinder Sukhu too has been showing interest, but party high command appears to have already made up its mind to get Anand Sharma back to the Upper House.

In the BJP camp, former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal—who is also leader of opposition in the Vidhan Sabha — when asked about party’s strategy said, “We will soon be holding consultations with the party MLAs in Shimla next week. There are some independent members in the House beside our own strength. We may spring a surprise to the Congress party, you never know. However, all options are open,” he hinted.

Congress has 36 members in the 68-member House where BJP has 27 MLAs. Four are independent members supporting the Congress and one of them belongs to Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP).

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday had issued notification for the Rajya Sabha from Himachal Pradesh.

Narender Chauhan, Chief Electoral Officer said, “The last date for filing nominations is March 11, 2016. Nomination papers will be scrutinized on March 12, 2016. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 14, 2016. The voting, if necessary, will be held on March 21, 2016 between 9.00 am to 4.00 pm at Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha complex. The counting will take place at 5.00 PM on same day.”