Independent MLA Dr Vimal Chopra extends support to the BJP nominee
BSP yet to take decision on possible support to Congress
[email protected]
Raipur, Mar 21: Political activities has gained momentum for the Rajya Sabha elections slated to be held on March 23 here with both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as principal opposition Congress trying to get additional votes in favour of their respective candidates for the Upper House berth.
BJP is all set to add on to the present strength of 49 seats in the 90-member Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly as the Independent MLA from Mahasamund Dr Vimal Chopra has announced support to the BJP nominee Saroj Pandey for the March 23 elections. According to information received, Dr Chopra has given his consent to the BJP’s National Co Organizational Secretary Soudan Singh who had recently sought his support for the BJP nominee Saroj Pandey. Similarly, two heavy weight Cabinet Ministers, Brijmohan Agrawal and Prem Prakash Pandey, too have taken Dr Chopra into confidence for the Upper House elections. BJP has already issued Whips to its 49 MLAs to remain present in Legislative Assembly to vote in favour of the party candidate. However, the principal opposition Congress too wants to increase the tally of votes in favour of the party nominee Lekhram Sahu as the candidate himself had approach the former Chief Minister and supremo of Chhattisgarh Janata Congress (J) to seek vote from his son Amit Jogi from Marwahi who has been earlier expelled by the Congress. Meeting of Lekhram Sahu with Jogi also holds special significance as two other Jogi loyalists MLAs RK Rai and Siyaram Kaushik of Congress would act on the word of Jogi Senior for the March 23 elections. A dent into Congress Legislative Party would certainly boost the morale for BJP ahead of the next Legislative Assembly scheduled to be held later this year as if gets two of the above mentioned Jogi loyalist Congress MLAs vote in favour of BJP nominee Saroj Pandey.
Meanwhile, the lone Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Dr Keshav Chandra has kept his card closed. It is learnt that he is yet to get recommendations from the party supremo for the Rajya Sabha elections. Congress too wants support from him to increase the tally of votes as the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) President Bhupesh Baghel has given open offer to the BSP for pre-poll alliance in next Legislative Assembly elections to oust the ruling BJP from power in upcoming elections.
