Veerendra Kumar files nomination for RS polls

The JD(U) Sharad Yadav faction's Kerala unit president M P Veerendra Kumar today filed his nomination as an independent candidate backed by the ruling CPI-M led LDF for the March 23 Rajya Sabha polls from the state.
The 82-year-old socialist leader, accompanied by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, submitted his nomination papers before state Assembly secretary Babu Prakash.
Kerala PCC general secretary and former legislator Babu Prasad also filed his nomination as the candidate of the Congress-led UDF Opposition for the lone seat.
UDF opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and other front leaders accompanied Prasad when he filed his nomination.
The polls are being held for the seat that has fallen vacant after Veerendra Kumar resigned from the Upper House as a mark of protest following JD (U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joining hands with BJP-led NDA.

The LDF committee meeting held on March 9 had extended support and offered the Rajya Sabha seat to theJD (U) Shard Yadav faction that had quit the Congress-led UDF opposition in January.
Given the strength of the LDF in the Assembly, Veerendra Kumar's victory is certain.