Differences in AAP over Rajya Sabha nominations
30 Dec 2017 5:21 PM GMT
New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party appears split over Rajya Sabha nominations, with a section in the party suggesting that it should nominate outsiders to the Upper House, an AAP leader has said.
Elections to three Rajya Sabha seats from Delhi would be held on January 16. The AAP, which enjoys a brute majority in the 70-member Delhi Assembly, is all set to win all the three seats.
Sanjay Singh, one of AAP's core members since its formation in 2012, is a strong frontrunner for a Rajya Sabha ticket.
A group of AAP leaders has emphasised on sending to the Rajya Sabha people from the fields of economics, law and social work. This would also help the AAP leadership deal with the internal rift over Rajya Sabha berths.
Many in the AAP view it as a tactic to counter senior leader Kumar Vishwas, a strong contender for a Rajya Sabha berth.
However, his nomination is unlikely given the uneasy equation he has with some senior AAP leaders, the party leader said.
Another section of the AAP is in favour of sending senior party leaders to the Upper House. On Thursday, supporters of Vishwas pitched tents in the party office demanding that leaders who have worked in the anti-corruption movement should be sent to the Rajya Sabha.
Names of senior party leader Sanjay Singh and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's close confidant Ashutosh are doing the rounds. However, Kejriwal has kept the cards close to his chest.
"Many leaders who are in the core decision-making body of the party are themselves in the race. So it is Kejriwal and Sisodia who will decide on the nominations," another AAP leader said. The last date to file nominations is January 5.
Next Story
