Congress leader PL Punia files nomination papers for Rajya Sabha

LUCKNOW: Senior Congress leader PL Punia today filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha in the presence of senior party leaders and legislators.

Accompanied by UPCC president Nirmal Khatri, AICC in-charge in the state Madhusudan Mistry and MP Pramod Tewari, Punia filed his papers before the principal secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Pradip Dubey.

Punia who has been fielded by the party high command would have to depend on the votes of other parties as Congress with the strength of 28 Legislators would not be able to help him see through alone as in case of election, he would require a minimum of 37 votes in the 403 member house.

The biennial election for 10 seats of Rajya Sabha, whose term is expiring on November 25, is slated for November 20.

The Rajya Sabha members whose term is expiring are -- Akhilesh Das, Avtar Singh Karimpuri, Brijlal Khabari, Brijesh Pathak, Raja Ram and, Veer Singh (all BSP), Amar Singh and Ram Gopal Yadav (both SP), Kusum Rai (BJP) and Mohammad Adeeb (Congress).

As per the party's strength in the UP Assembly,the ruling Samajwadi Party can win six seats, the BSP two and BJP one and one by Congress with support of other parties.