Arun Jaitley files nomination papers for Rajya Sabha

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, who is seeking a third term to Upper House, today filed his nomination papers from Gujarat along with two other candidates of BJP.

Jaitley filed his nomination along with former MLA Mansukh Mandaviya and party functionary Shankar Vegad for the March 30 biennial elections.

"I thank people of Gujarat, Narendra Modi (Chief Minister) and state BJP president R C Faldu for giving me the opportunity to raise the voice of the state in Rajya Sabha by nominating me along with two senior party members," Jaitley told reporters after filing his nomination papers.

40-year-old Mandaviya is former BJP legislator from Palitana Assembly constituency and is presently the chairperson of Gujarat Agro-Industries Corporation. He is also the member of the state BJP executive committee and in-charge of party's Rajkot district unit. He comes from powerful Leuva Patel community of the state.

Vegad is the vice president of the Surendranagar district BJP unit and belongs to Koli community. He has also been the member of Surendranagar Municipal Corporation for 20 years and has served as the vice president of the same for five years.