Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi set to contest Rajya Sabha bypolls from Telangana

Senior politician Abhishek Manu Singhvi is set to contest the Rajya Sabha bypolls from Telangana. The Congress leader had exited the Upper House of Parliament earlier this year after failing to win the polls from Himachal Pradesh.

“Congress President Malliarjun Kharge has approved the candidature of Abhishek Manu Singhvi as Congress candidate to contest the ensuing bye-elections to the Council of States from Telangana,” read an official communique from the party on Wednesday afternoon.

Singhvi had lost the Rajya Sabha election from Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh earlier this year after securing the same number of votes as his rival. Six Congress rebels and three Independents had voted in favour of the BJP. Harsh Mahajan eventually won the February 27 polls through draw of lots.

The Rajya Sabha bypolls are being held for 12 seats — including one seat each from Telangana and Odisha. Elections were necessiated in the southern state after Bharat Rashtra Samithi lawmaker K Keshava Rao quit the party and resigned from the House before joining the Congress party. Meanwhile in Odisha, Biju Janata Dal MP Mamata Mohanta resigned from her Rajya Sabha seat and primary membership of the party before joining the BJP.

The BJP-led NDA is hoping to secure a clear majority in the Rajya Sabha after the bypolls. This in turn will help the party get the nod for key legislations such as the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The current effective strength of the upper house is 229 — with the BJP having 87 MPs and its allies bringing the tally up to 105. Six nominated members, who usually cast their vote with the government, take the strength of the NDA to 111, four short of the half-way mark of 115.

Elections to the 12 vacant Rajya Sabha seats in nine states will be held on September 3. The Election Commission has announced 12 separate elections for each of the seats, handing over a clear advantage to the ruling party in the state.

(With inputs from agencies)