Congress urges BJP to withdraw third Rajya Sabha candidate

Patna: Two days ahead of the last date for withdrawal of nominations for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections, Congress party on Saturday urged the BJP to withdraw its third candidate from the contest so that CM Nitish Kumar and four others can be elected unopposed.The BJP has fielded two candidates — its state president Nitin Nabin and former MLA Shivesh Ram — while the third candidate in the NDA camp is Upendra Kushwaha, chief of RLM. The JD(U) has nominated Nitish Kumar and Union minister and sitting Rajya Sabha member Ram Nath Thakur, who is seeking a third term. Also in the fray is sitting RJD MP Amarendra Dhari Singh.The last date for withdrawal of nominations is March 9, while polling, if required, will be held on March 16.State Congress media department head Rajesh Rathore said the BJP should withdraw the nomination of its “additional third candidate” so that Nitish could begin what he termed his “last political innings” in an honourable manner.He also urged Union home minister Amit Shah to intervene and ensure the unopposed election of the CM.Rathore claimed that for the first time in the past 12 years, the fate of candidates in the biennial Rajya Sabha election from the state could be decided through polling.“Since becoming CM in 2005, Nitish ensured that candidates for the Rajya Sabha and legislative council were elected unopposed. Despite having surplus votes, he never forced a contest by fielding an additional candidate,” Rathore said.Alleging a larger political design, Rathore said the BJP’s move suggested a “conspiracy” aimed at first removing Nitish from the CM’s post and then preventing his smooth entry into the Rajya Sabha.