Who will the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominate to the Rajya Sabha? There are currently seven vacancies. The terms of four more members end in 2018. This includes former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and actor Rekha. There is speculation about whom the seven seats will go to: former journalists, musicians, artists? Or will they go to party leaders whom the BJP wants to keep out of the states? Some from the fields of film, journalism and industry have supported the BJP in recent years. Industrialist Subhash Chandra was keen to contest the Lok Sabha polls in 2014 but didn't get a BJP ticket. Actor Anupam Kher supported the party when it was facing heat from the Opposition on the "intolerance" issue. Some journalists might be nominated to provide "intellectual depth" to the BJP's Rajya Sabha contingent. In most cases Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has to fight a lone battle of wits for the BJP in the Upper House.
Explore Business Standard