SP to support Cong candidates for Rajya Sabha

Even as differences over seat sharing agreement between the two parties continue, SP has decided to support Cong candidate in forthcoming RS elections from UP.

Even as the differences over the seat sharing agreement between the ruling Congress and its new ally Samajwadi Party continue, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has decided to support Congress candidate in the forthcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Uttar Pradesh.

With 10 Rajya Sabha seats getting vacated November end, the SP has decided to field two candidates from its side. While SP is renominating party general secretary Amar Sing to Rajya Sabha for another term, party has decided to send its leader in Lok Sabha Ram Gopal Yadav to the upper house. Both leaders are set to file their nomination papers in Lucknow on Thursday.

With about 37 MLAs support required for electing one Rajya Sabha, the SP with 95 seats in the state assembly could send only two members to Rajya Sabha from its own vote with over 20 remaining extra with it. Senior SP sources said that SP has decided to extend its extra votes in assembly to Congress candidate from the state. Congress, however, with 22 MLAs in state assembly is learnt to have not made up its mind about its candidate so far.

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Given that Ram Gopal currently represent Sambhal Lok (UP) seat in Lok Sabha, he will have to resign from his Lok Sabha membership within 14 days after filing his papers for Rajya Sabha. Sources said that SP deputy leader in Lok Sabha, Ramji Lal Suman, can take over the post of party leader in the Lok Sabha.

SP’s support to the Congress candidate for Rajya Sabha holds significance in view of their partnership after July 22 trust vote this year, where SP saved the government with its support after the Left parties pulled out their support to the UPA government over nuclear deal issue.

SP’s support, is also likely to soften Congress’ strident stand on seat sharing, where it is demanding about 10 Lok Sabha seats, which are currently held by SP. This is a political gesture, which Congress will have to reciprocate when seat sharing talks resume sometime soon.