Ambika Soni files nomination from Punjab

CHANDIGARH: Congress General Secretary Ambika Soni today filed her nomination papers for Rajya Sabha election from Punjab.

She was accompanied by party General Secretary Shakeel Ahmad, Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh, Secretary Harish Choudhary, former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Leader of Opposition in Punjab assembly Charanjit Singh Channi.

"Ambika Soni filed her nomination papers with the Returning Officer in the state assembly here," an official spokesman said.

After filing her papers, Soni said Congress is not divided in Punjab and will fight the next assembly polls unitedly.

Earlier on May 27, SAD leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder had filed his nomination papers for Rajya Sabha polls from Punjab.

Both Soni and Bhunder are sitting Rajya Sabha members from Punjab.

Two Rajya Sabha seats from Punjab will fall vacant on July 4 after the terms of Soni (Congress) and Bhunder end, an election office spokesperson said here.

The election to the seats will be held on June 11, he said, adding the last date for filing nominations is fixed for May 31.

While the scrutiny of the nominations will be held on June 1, the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is on June 3.

Both Soni and Bhunder are set to make their entry to upper House from Punjab again.