The Samajwadi Party has announced senior leader Ram Gopal Yadav and corporate executive Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani as its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Uttar Pradesh.
Both candidates are scheduled to file their nomination papers on Wednesday in Lucknow in the presence of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.
The announcement comes ahead of the October 16 Rajya Sabha elections, for which polling has been scheduled for 10 seats from Uttar Pradesh and one seat from Uttarakhand. The nomination process began on September 29, with October 6 set as the last date for filing nomination papers.
Ram Gopal Yadav set for another Rajya Sabha term
Ram Gopal Yadav is among the Samajwadi Party’s senior parliamentary leaders. He first entered the Rajya Sabha in 1992 and has represented the party in the Upper House for several terms.
He currently serves as the party’s national general secretary and has played an important role in the SP’s parliamentary affairs.
His latest nomination comes as his current Rajya Sabha term is set to end in November. If elected, he will begin another six-year term in the Upper House.
Dhanraj Nathwani named as second SP candidate
Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani is the second candidate announced by the Samajwadi Party. He has a background in the corporate sector and sports administration and is associated with Reliance Industries.
Nathwani is the son of Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani. He has also held responsibilities in sports administration, including at the Gujarat Cricket Association.
His selection brings a candidate from outside conventional electoral politics into the SP’s Rajya Sabha contest.
Rajya Sabha election schedule
The Election Commission has scheduled polling for October 16. In Uttar Pradesh, 10 Rajya Sabha seats are part of the election process.
Nine seats are falling vacant as the terms of the sitting members end on November 25. Another seat became vacant following the resignation of BJP leader Dinesh Sharma after his appointment as Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The election will be conducted through proportional representation using the single transferable vote system. Elected members of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly will form the electoral college for the polls.
The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on October 7, while candidates can withdraw their nominations until October 9. Polling and counting, if required, will be held on October 16.
The SP’s announcement comes as political parties finalise their candidates ahead of the October 6 nomination deadline.
