Former Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal to file nomination for RS polls on September 21

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• Sep 18, 2021 | Deleted

GUWAHATI: Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will file his nomination for the October 4 Rajya Sabha poll on September 21.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Bhabesh Kalita collected the nomination papers on behalf of the former Assam chief minister from the Assam Legislative Assembly soon after the announcement of Sonowal's name as the party candidate.

State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma besides leaders of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) is likely to accompany Sonowal for filing the nomination.

The last date for filing of nomination for the Rajya Sabha poll is September 22.

On the other hand, voting and counting of votes will take place on October 4.

It needs mention that Assam sends a total of seven representatives to the upper house.

At present, two are being held by BJP and Congress and one each by AGP and Independent.

Earlier in the day, the BJP nominated Sonowal as its nominee for the Rajya Sabha by-poll.

The RS seat has fallen vacant from Assam after BJP member Biswajit Daimary resigned from the upper house.

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Daimary is currently the Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly.

Sonowal was recently inducted into his Council of Ministers by Prime Minister Narendra Modi thus necessitating his election to Parliament within six months.

His election to the upper house is certain as the saffron party has a majority in the state assembly.

The BJP with 94 members is currently the single largest party in Rajya Sabha.