BJP leaders start lobbying for ticket to enter Rajya Sabha

As the BJP is likely to win the three Rajya Sabha seats due to its mammoth majority in the state Assembly, leaders of the ruling party have intensified lobbying for party tickets for these Rajya Sabha seats elections for which would be held on February 7.

Party to win all Rajya Sabha seats in  the state
Considering the mammoth majority BJP has achieved in the 14th Assembly elections in the state, it can be comfortable said that it will easily bag all the three Rajya Sabha seats.

There are no chances of Congress getting any seat in Rajasthan even with the support of Independents or other political parties. According to sources in the election commission, 51 first priority votes are required for each of the three RS seats.

Thus BJP requires a total of 153 votes but BJP has 10 votes more than the required. The party is safe even if some MLA mistakenly vote in favour of other than party candidates.

Claimants intensify lobbying
According to sources in the ruling party, being a close ally of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, Om Prakash Mathur is sure to get a second term and Modi would like to see him in his team in Delhi. In all possibility, Dr Gyanprakash Pilania is sure to lose his ticket as his son Naveen Pilania had contested from Amber constituency on the ticket of NPP and was responsible for the defeat of BJP’s official candidate Satish Poonia.

Besides, senior Pilania had campaigned against Poonia. But, it is highly probable that a Jat leader will be fielded on this seat.

Already, half a dozen Jat leaders have staked their claims. The prominent being former RPSC chairman CR Choudhary whose name could be seconded by chief minister Vasundhara Raje. Another prominent name is Prof BL Choudhary who was formerly vice-chancellor of Mohanlal Sukhadiya University.

The RSS might support him. Apart from these, other claimants include former Centre minister Subhash Mehariya, Dr Digamber Singh, Satish Poonia and Congressman-turned-BJPian Dr Hari Singh.

Interestingly, the BJP may introduce an outsider on the third Rajya Sabha seat. Maharashtra BJP treasurer NC Shaina’s name is doing the rounds as she is originally from Shekhawati and represents the Vysya community. She and her family have a good hold in the Maharashtra BJP.

It is said that even national level leaders of the party are lobbying for her. In case there is no consensus on her name then there will be a hunt for Vysya candidate and in such a case the party could zero in on BJP leader Ramdas Agarwal.

Apart from him, Onkar Singh Lakhawat is also a prime contender. The Election Commission will issue the notification for these elections on January 21.

The nominations will be received till January 28 and the scrutiny of nominations will be completed on January 29.

poll process to start on Jan 21
Stage is set for the process to begin for biennial elections for three Rajya Sabha seats from Rajasthan which are schedule to be held on February 7. The EC will issue the notification for these elections on January 21. The nominations will be received till January 28 and scrutiny will be completed on January 29. The last date for withdrawal of nominations will be January 31. If needed, voting will begin on 9 am to 4 pm on February 7 and counting will start on the same day at 5 pm.

Formula of Counting votes
Rajya Sabha election is carried out using single transferable vote. The total number of valid votes cast is divided by seats to fill (in Rajasthan it is 3) plus 1 and the figure is first priority votes. Total valid votes cast/3+1 = number of first priority votes. The tenure of three Rajya seats will get vacant.
The tenure of three Rajya Sabha members will end on April 9, 2014. These include Om Prakash Mathur and Dr Gyan Prakash Pilania from BJP and Dr Prabha Thakur from Congress.