RS polls: NCP nominee set to be elected unopposed

Mumbai, June 8 (IANS) Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) nominee Rajendra Jain is set to get elected unopposed in the Rajya Sabha elections as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) did not field its candidate.

Rajendra Jain filed his nomination on Monday in the presence of senior leaders, including Chhagan Bhujbal, Praful Patel, Dilip Walse Patil, youth leader Parth Pawar, and Mahayuti leaders Ashish Shelar and Bharat Gogawale.

Thereafter, another independent also filed his nomination, but the MVA refrained from contesting the Rajya Sabha poll for want of numbers. Today was the last day to file nominations for the elections slated for June 18.

The scrutiny of nominations will take place on June 9, and withdrawals will be accepted on June 11.

State legislative secretariat sources said that the nomination of the independent will be rejected during Tuesday’s scrutiny process due to technical flaws.

The poll officer will inform the Election Commission of India that Rajendra Jain remains the sole nominee as of the last date for withdrawal of nominations on June 11.

Thereafter, the poll panel will officially announce Jain’s election and issue a formal certificate to him.

Rajendra Jain, a close confidant of NCP working president Praful Patel, is a prominent political figure from Eastern Vidarbha, particularly dominant in the Bhandara and Gondia districts. He is known as one of the NCP's key faces in the region.

Patel, during the NCP core committee meeting held on Sunday, proposed Jain’s name, citing that his nomination will help strengthen the party organisation ahead of the 2029 general elections. Patel also argued that this would be helpful for him as he is keen to contest the next general elections from the Bhandara-Gondia constituency.

Jain’s name received approval from the national president, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, her son, and Rajya Sabha member Parth Pawar after veteran leader and NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal withdrew from the race.

Rajendra Jain, a former Personal Assistant (PA) to former Union Minister Praful Patel, rose through the party ranks under Patel’s mentorship. He was previously elected to the state council from the Bhandara-Gondia Local Authorities’ constituency.

In the 2016 Legislative Council elections, however, he suffered a defeat against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Parinay Fuke. His elevation to the Rajya Sabha now marks his official entry into national politics in Delhi.

Speaking to the media, Jain said he will strive to consolidate the party organisation in the Vidarbha region.

--IANS

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