Cong likely to contest RS Dy Chairman seat

Keen on bagging the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson’s position, the Congress is said to be preparing for a contest and has zeroed in on ...

Keen on bagging the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson’s position, the Congress is said to be preparing for a contest and has zeroed in on two senior party leaders — Vayalar Ravi and Mohsina Kidwai — as possible candidates. With the support of various coalition partners of the UPA, the Congress can expect its candidates to win the elections.

At present, the UPA has 113 out of 245 members in the Rajya Sabha with Congress having 70 MPs. Besides these, the Congress can also try for the support of 11 Independents. On the other hand, the NDA has only 83 MPs, out of which the BJP has 49.

A general secretary in the AICC, Vayalar Ravi has been in-charge of Maharashtra. The state party unit has recently been in the news for the change of the president, Ranjit Deshmukh, who was replaced by Prabha Rau.

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Deshmukh had been at loggerheads with Ravi in a prolonged tussle. It is believed that the AICC is seeking to begin afresh in the state which goes to Assembly polls in September-October this year.

The party is also said to be considering Mohsina Kidwai, who is the AICC in-charge of Punjab. Punjab is yet another troubled state for the Congress where its performance was dismal in the recent Lok Sabha polls. Kidwai could be a serious contender if Najma Heptulla is fielded by the Opposition.

Meanwhile, the BJP has demanded that the post should go to the Opposition as per convention.

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