Congress opts out of RS race

Earlier, AICC general secretary in charge of Maharashtra, Margaret Alva, who was playing mediator, had told Express: ‘‘We will make an announcement tomorrow morning. We are negotiating with the NCP.’’ Her party was planning to field AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik in case it managed to persuade the NCP to give up its claim. Wasnik, a Dalit from Nagpur, is a former LS MP from the Buldhana, earlier represented by his father Balkrishna Wasnik.

The other contender to the Rajya Sabha seat was former Maharashtra CM and Andhra Pradesh Governor Sushilkumar Shinde. Soon after the Sena sacked Sanjay Nirupam, Shinde had staked claim to the seat, letting the high command know that he was ‘‘tired’’ of the gubernatorial assignment. But with the Congress opting out of the race, Shinde’s plan of a quick return to active politics stands derailed.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar had staked his party’s claim to the seat on the grounds that in the House of 288, NCP was the single largest party. Sources now say that the NCP may nominate its Maharashtra spokesperson, Vasant Chavan, who is said to be close to Pawar.

After his unceremonious exit from the state cabinet in 2002, NCP had been planning to rehabilitate Chavan, a Dalit leader from Pune. Initially, he was promised a nomination for the Rajya Sabha last year. He had even filed his papers. But at the last moment, he was forced to withdraw to accommodate Bihar NCP leader Tariq Anwar.

Now, Chavan says he is awaiting instructions from Pawar. ‘‘My form is ready. If Pawar gives the green signal, I will file the papers tomorrow,’’ he said.