Race for new Rajya Sabha seats to begin soon

The complexion of the Rajya Sabha is gradually changing. One MP from Puducherry will retire in October. P Kannan is from the AIADMK but it is likely to be an All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate again.

However, the cause of excitement is seven nominated members of the Rajya Sabha who will retire between November this year and March 2016. It could seem a bit early, but speculation has already begun in the BJP about who will be nominated in their place.

The retiring members are H K Dua and Ashok Ganguly, followed by Mani Shankar Aiyar, Javed Akhtar, B Jayashri, Mrinal Miri and Bhalchandra Mungekar. All were nominated by the previous government and most of them are opposed to the BJP. The question is, in a House where the opposition has a majority, whom will BJP choose as replacements? Lobbying has started. Watch this space for more.