Independent enters RS poll fray in UP, ensures a contest

The Rajya Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh today took an interesting turn with an Independent candidate Preeti Mahapatra, backed by several BJP MLAs and some others, filing her nomination papers, making it 12 candidates for 11 seats from the state.
Her entry into the fray has ensured that the elections will not be uncontested.
Mahapatra, a social worker, filed her nomination papers on the last day for the June 11 elections.
The nomination of Mahapatra was proposed by several BJP MLAs, members of smaller parties and independents.
Scruinty of papers would be done tomorrow and candidates can withdraw their nominations till June 3.

Seven candidates of SP and two of BSP, including national general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra, have already filed their nominations, while Congress candidate Kapil Sibal filed his papers yesterday.

BJP candidate Shiv Pratap Shukla filed his papers today.
In 403-member UP Assembly ruling SP has 229 MLAs, BSP 80, BJP 41, Congress 29, besides some smaller parties and Independents. Each candidate would require 37 votes for victory.
A similar situation arose for the UP Legislative Council, where 14 aspirants have filed their nomination papers for 13 seats.