Chandigarh: With two Rajya Sabha seats from Haryana set to fall vacant next month, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have intensified internal deliberations to finalise their nominees ahead of the biennial polls.
The vacancies arise as the terms of sitting members Kiran Choudhry and Ramchandra Jangra conclude on April 9. The Election Commission has already issued the schedule for the polls, setting March 5 as the last date for filing nominations. Scrutiny will take place on March 6, while candidates may withdraw their names until March 9. Voting, if required, is scheduled for March 16.
Congress Likely to Pick ‘Insider’
Within the Congress camp, discussions are underway to select a candidate for the single seat expected to fall to the party’s share. Party insiders indicated that nearly ten aspirants have submitted applications. However, senior leaders have suggested that preference will be given to a long-serving party member rather than an external entrant.
A senior functionary clarified that the nominee would be chosen from within the state ranks, effectively ruling out the possibility of fielding nationally known figures such as Anand Sharma or Raj Babbar, whose names had been speculated in political circles.
Among those in contention are several prominent Ahir leaders, including state unit chief Rao Narendra Singh and former Haryana Congress president Udai Bhan. Sources said the final decision is expected shortly, with senior leaders engaged in consultations in Delhi. Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda is also believed to have held discussions with the party high command regarding his preferred candidate.
BJP Weighs Options, May Back Independent
The BJP is also holding strategy meetings in the national capital to finalise its candidates. A shortlist has reportedly been forwarded to the party’s central leadership for approval.
Names being considered include Minister of State Ravneet Bittu, former Hisar MP Kuldeep Bishnoi, and former MP Suneeta Duggal. Party insiders indicated that the BJP may also extend support to an Independent candidate if it strengthens their electoral arithmetic against the Congress nominee.
Ravneet Bittu was earlier elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan in a bypoll in August 2024, with his term set to conclude in June.
With the nomination deadline approaching and political equations still in flux, Haryana’s Rajya Sabha race is shaping up to be closely watched, particularly if the contest goes to a vote on March 16.
