Devi Lal elected to Rajya Sabha

CHANDIGARH, June 11: Former deputy prime minister and Haryana Lok Dal Rashtriya senior leader Devi Lal, and former Mizoram governor Swaraj Kaushal of the ruling Haryana Vikas Party were today declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha as last date of withdrawal of nominations for the June 18 biennial elections ended yesterday.

The announcement of the results was delayed as O.P. Khurana, the covering candidate for Devi Lal could withdraw his papers only last evening due to some preoccupation. Rajiv Jai, the covering candidate for Kaushal, husband of Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj, had withdrawn his papers on Monday, the last day of scrutiny. For Devi Lal this will be his maiden entry to the Upper House.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, a close friend of the former Haryana chief minister had played a crucial role in convincing the BJP8217;s central leadership of supporting Devi Lal8217;s candidature. Kaushal a lawyer by profession who was the architect of the Mizo accord had recently joined Bansi Lal8217;s HVP. The two seats were vacated by Shamsher Singh Surjewala and K. L. Poswal, both of the Congress following the expiry of their term.