2 candidates file nominations for Feb 7 RS polls

Sitting MP Parimal Nathwani and RJD leader Prem Chand Gupta are virtually set to win uncontested for the two Rajya Sabha seats as only the two candidates filed nominations for the February 7 biennial polls on the last day today.
"Gupta filed papers as RJD candidate while Nathwani filed the nomination as an independent candidate," a senior official at the Jharkhand Assembly Secretariat told PTI.
"They are the only two candidates for the two vacant seats, leaving the polls uncontested," he added.
Tomorrow is the scrutiny while the last date for withdrawal is January 30, he said.
The JMM, which yesterday announced Savita, the widow of former deputy chief minister Sudhir Mahto, backed out from the contest.

"We did not have the numbers after the RJD and the BJP-backed candidates filed the nominations. So we opted out of the contest," JMM General Secretary Suprio Bhattacharya told PTI.
Jharkhand PCC president Sukhdeo Bhagat, however, said the RJD leader was "a common UPA" candidate.
"This is the first time that Jharkhand will witness candidates being elected uncontested in the background of allegations," Bhagat said, indicating to the 2010 and 2012 horse trading allegations being probed by the CBI.