Several leaders of the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP from Rajasthan and outside the state have been lobbying hard to manage a Rajya Sabha berth but there is resentment against outside candidates in both the parties. The elections for five Rajya Sabha seats is slated for June 17.
According to sources, Union minister Anand Sharma is also eyeing a seat from Rajasthan. Besides this, three Muslim leaders from Uttar Pradesh are also trying to get seats from Rajasthan. But a section of the ruling Congress opposed it and voiced it to their local leader. Several Brahmin leaders opposed Mr Sharma’s name saying there was no need to “import” a leader from other states.
The four Rajya Sabha seats are going to fall vacant next month while the fifth seat fell vacant due to the death of BJP MP Srikishan Valmiki. Rajya Sabha member and Congress leader Narendra Budhania is hopeful of getting one more chance because he got elected last year.
The Muslim community leaders also want the party to field a local Muslim rather than borrow from neighbouring states.