PM, two others vie for two Rajya Sabha seats in Assam

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and two others are in the contest for two Rajya Sabha seats from Assam, officials said here Thursday. The poll is slated for May 30.

Officials said the prime minister's four sets of nomination papers, which were endorsed by 40 legislators, were found in order. Manmohan Singh had filed a fresh affidavit two days before the scrutiny, correcting his age in his nomination papers as 80 years and not 82, officials said.

Santius Kujur, the Congress party's second candidate, and All India United Democratic Front's (AIUDF's) Aminul Islam are also in the fray, officials said.

The prime minister will win the May 30 Rajya Sabha election, said a Congress leader.

The leader said the prime minister's win is certain as he is the only contestant for the first preference votes of 78 Congress legislators in the 126-member state assembly, while Kujur and Islam are hoping for the second seat on the second preference votes.

The nomination papers of the three contestants were found valid on the day of scrutiny on May 21 and no nominations were withdrawn Thursday, the last day for withdrawal, officials added.

Polling will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 30. Votes would be counted the same day.

The election process will be completed before June 3 as per the Election Commission's May 13 notification.