The Congress appears to be keeping NCP chief Sharad Pawar on tenterhooks by “blessing” an Independent in the Rajya Sabha elections from Maharashtra at a time when the Maratha strongman is in the thick of IPL controversy. This move could mar the chances of one of the NCP nominees.
Maharashtra Congress spokesman Kanhaiyalal Gidwani on Saturday announced that he will contest the Rajya Sabha election from the state as an Independent and claimed that he got the green signal from the party high command.
“I have met AICC in charge for Maharashtra A.K. Antony who has given me the go ahead after chief minister Ashok Chavan and PCC chief Manikrao Thakre gave a nod in this regard,” he told reporters here.
Asked whether he is a rebel, Mr Gidwani said: “Main rebel ho hi nahi sakta.” He clarified that he is a Congressman and the PCC spokesman. “I am an Independent candidate supported by the MLAs associated with the Congress.”
He further said that he has already filed his nomination with the support of 17 members associated with the Congress and was expecting backing from among the 53 members who are not associated with any of the major parties.
Replying to a question, he indicated that his candidature could be a threat to the NCP nominee as Mr Pawar’s party has put up two candidates when it could win only one seat on its own and its second nominee will need the support of 24 others to romp home.
NCP general secretary Tariq Anwar has been re-nominated by the party which has also fielded Ishwarchand Jain, a long-time Pawar supporter for stint in the Upper House.