In Rajya Sabha elections, Congress-BJP close fight in 1 seat each in 5 States

New Delhi: The stage is set for a fierce battle between the Congress and the BJP in a few seats in the Rajya Sabha elections to be held on Friday, with both parties trying hard to get the maximum numbers on their side.

In the voting for the 19 seats on Friday, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have four seats each, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have three seats each and Jharkhand two. Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya have one seat each.

Of these 19 seats, the focus is on 13 seats in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Manipur. It looks like there will be a close contest for one seat in each state between both the parties.


The central observers for both BJP and Congress have reached the state capitals and several rounds of meetings have been going on with legislators. In Gujarat, the Congress was sure of winning two seats. But with eight party MLAs resigning, only Shaktisinh Gohil can win the elections. Its second candidate, Bharatsinh Solanki, will most likely lose the election to BJP’s third candidate Narhari Amin. Congress was hoping to get the votes of two Bhartiya Tribal Party, one NCP and one independent candidate. However, NCP MLA Kandhal Jadeja joined the BJP camp on Thursday. The other two candidates for the BJP are Abhay Bhardwaj and Ramilaben Bara.

In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP is sure of winning two seats –– that of Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sumer Singh Solanki –– while Congress can win one seat –– that of Digvijaya Singh. Congress MLA Kunal Choudhary has been tested Covid-19 positive and he would wear a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit to cast his vote. The Congress tried hard to get four independents, two SP and one BSP MLAs on their side. However, on Wednesday evening, all these MLAs joined the BJP dinner party, indicating that they would vote for the BJP candidate.

In Rajasthan, the Congress has been guarding its MLAs for more than a week to avoid any defection. Two days ago, the BJP also put its MLAs in a hotel. At present, the Congress looks comfortable to win two seats –– that of KC Venugopal and Neeraj Dangi. The BJP may win one seat –– of Rajendra Gehlot. BJP’s other candidate is Onkar Singh Lakhawat.

In Jharkhand, Congress’ ally, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), is all set to win one seat with Shibu Soren as its candidate. However, there is a fight for the second seat between the Congress and BJP. But with the All Jharkhand Students Union and independent Saryu Rai supporting BJP, its candidate and state president Deepak Prakash, is likely to win.