New Delhi/Agartala on September 10 : The ruling BJP on Friday night announced the nomination of the former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb as its candidate for 22nd September elections to the state’s only Rajya Sabha seat in the state.The BJP’s General Secretary for the national level (Headquarters) Arun Singh in an evening statement stated that the Central Election Committee (CEC) nominated Deb for the Rajya Sabha polls.
In expressing his gratitude to the leadership of the central government, Deb tweeted : “Gratitude to PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, President Shri J P Nadda Ji and Home Minister Amit Shah Ji for recommending myself as a BJP candidate for Rajya Sabha MP from Tripura.I am determined to working to improve the welfare and development of Tripura and its people.”
The day before, BJP President J.P.Nadda announced the appointment of Deb as the state observer of Haryana.Deb who, on May 14 announced that she would step off the post of Chief Minister in line with the instructions of central leadership, is expected to be battling CPI-M-led Left Front candidate and former Tripura Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha in the elections for the upper house.
Dental surgeon-turned-politician Manik Saha, who became Chief Minister on May 15, a day after Deb resigned, and was elected to the Assembly in the June 23 by-elections, resigned from the Rajya Sabha on July 4, causing the vacancy.
Deb’s next election to Rajya Sabha is almost certain since the government BJP (36) together with its allies -the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (8) — have the power of 44 in the house with 60 members and opposition CPI-M has 15 MLAs.
The only Congress MLA, Sudip Roy Barman as per the sources within the party is likely to back the CPI-M-led Left Front nominee in the RS elections.The Election Commission on Monday issued the official notice on Monday regarding the elections on September 22, and the count of votes would be conducted on the same day.
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