Ramvichar Netam , Chhaya Verma elected to Rajya Sabha from Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: Ramvichar Netam of ruling BJP and opposition Congress's Chhaya Verma were today elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Chhattisgarh.

The deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended this afternoon. "Both have been elected unopposed," said the Assembly's Principal Secretary Devendra Verma.

Of the five Rajya Sabha members from Chhattisgarh, the term of two -- Nand Kumar Sai (BJP) and Mohsina Kidwai (Congress) -- is to expire this month.

The other three Rajya Sabha members from the state are Bhushan Lal Jangde and Ranvijay Pratap Singh Judeo of BJP and Motilal Vora of Congress.

Netam is BJP's national secretary and a former state cabinet minister. An influential tribal leader, Netam lost from his traditional Ramanujganj constituency to Congress's Brihaspat Singh in the 2003 Assembly elections.

Chhaya Verma is a veteran Congress leader.