Himachal Pradesh University VC Sikander Kumar files nomination as BJP candidate for Rajya Sabha poll

The election to one of the three Rajya Sabha seats from Himachal Pradesh has been necessitated as Congress MP Anand Sharma is completing his term

Himachal Pradesh University vice chancellor Sikander Kumar on Monday filed his nomination as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the election to the lone vacant Rajya Sabha seat from the hill state.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and state BJP chief Suresh Kashyap accompanied Mr. Kumar during the filing of nomination papers.

CM Thakur told reporters Mr. Kumar had not asked for the ticket and that the party decided to send him to the Rajya Sabha.

The election to one of the three Rajya Sabha seats from Himachal Pradesh has been necessitated as Congress MP Anand Sharma is completing his term on April 2.

The nominations will be scrutinised on March 22 and the candidates may withdraw their candidatures before March 24, Assembly Secretary-cum-Returning Officer Yash Paul Sharma said.

If necessary, the election would be held between 9 am and 4 p.m. on March 31, he added.

The ruling BJP has 43 MLAs in the 68-member Assembly, followed by the Opposition Congress 22, Independents two and the CPI(M) one MLA.