JD(U) backs Sharad Yadav and RCP Singh for Rajya Sabha polls

As, the terms of five JD(U) RS MPs from Bihar will end in July this year

Former JD(U) President Sharad Yadav and its General Secretary R C P Singh has been announced as party's candidates for the Rajya Sabha (RS) polls. Meanwhile, outgoing RS member Gulam Rasool Baliyavi has been offered a seat in the state legislative council.

The terms of five JD(U) RS MPs from Bihar --- Yadav, Singh, Baliyavi, K C Tyagi and Pawan Verma, will end in July this year. As, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took charge of the party from Yadav in the last month, whereas former bureaucrat Singh is considered as Kumar's most trusted lieutenant.

JD(U) Bihar unit Chief Bashishtha Narayan Singh said: "Party president Nitish Kumar has approved the names of the senior leaders after much deliberations. Sharad ji and Singh will be our candidate for RS polls, while Baliyavi and Verma would be our candidate for Legislative Council. They will file their nomination on Monday, on this occasion, Kumar and other party senior leaders were also present."

A gazette notification was issued on Tuesday to elect five RS MPs and seven Legislative Council members. The last date for filing nominations is May 31, while scrutiny will take place on June 1.

Based on party's strength in the legislative assembly, JD(U) will get two seats each in RS and Legislative Council.