Mah:With no nominations so far,suspense over RS poll continues

With not a single nomination filed so far, suspense kept growing on whether biennial Rajya Sabha elections for seven seats in Maharashtra slated to be held on February 7, will be contested or will remain unopposed.
The process of filing of nominations began yesterday and the last date is January 28 while last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 7.
Pune-based businessman Sanjay Kakade and another businessman Vijay Kalantri, who is also former State Congress treasurer have declared their intention to contest as independents.
The highlight of this election will be the presence of Union Minister for Agriculture and NCP president Sharad Pawar in the fray. He and another NCP candidate Majid Memon will file their papers on January 24.

The quota for winning votes in the electoral college of 287 elected members of the Legislative Assembly is 36.
The strength of the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly has been reduced to 287 due to the demise of Congress MLA and former minister Subhash Zanak.
Shiv Sena which has 45 MLAs can get only one candidate for Rajya Sabha elected while BJP with 47 MLAs, has only one retiring member party national spokesman Prakash Javdekar.
Sena has two retiring members - Rajkumar Dhoot and Bharatkumar Raut. Also, it will have nine surplus votes while BJP will have 11 after getting each of their candidate elected with quota of 36. While Congress with a strength of 81 and NCP with 62 and supporting independent MLAs can get their four candidates elected.