Congress rolls out candidates for RS from MP, Karnataka, Telangana

Putting an end to suspense over its Rajya Sabha candidates, the Indian National Congress (INC) has announced nominees for Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.

The Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge, has approved the candidatures of Ajay Maken, Dr Syed Naseer Hussain, and GC Chandrashekhar from Karnataka. He further nominated Ashok Singh from Madhya Pradesh, Renuka Chowdhury, and M Anil Kumar Yadav from Telangana.

Ashok Singh in MP

Singh, a senior Gwalior-based Congress leader, has contested three Lok Sabha elections. He has a strong political base in the Gwalior-Chambal region.

Sources said that Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath have both agreed on Singh’s name for the Upper House.

Singh, a wealthy Congress leader, has always funded the party and other candidates during the elections.

Even though the Congress witnessed a stunning defeat in the assembly election held in November last year, it performed considerably better in the Gwalior-Chambal region in comparison to other regions.

After Jyotiraditya Scindia joined the BJP and senior party leader Govind Singh lost the assembly election from the Bhind constituency, the Congress gave a push to a senior leader from this region.

“Ashok Singh has given years to the Congress, which could be the reason the party acknowledged his service to the party. Secondly, he is such a leader who has support from all factions—Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh,” said a Congress leader.

Rumours were rife that former Chief Minister Kamal Nath was in the race for the Rajya Sabha. However, Congress surprised everyone with its decision to nominate Ashok Singh.

BJP today also announced a list of four candidates from Gujarat for the Rajya Sabha elections.

Nominations include the stalwarts of BJP including president JP Nadda, Govind Dholakia, Mayank Nayak, and Dr Jashvansinh Parmar.

(With inputs from IANS)