Sabir Ali again looks for BJP route to Parliament

The former JD(U) MP Sabir Ali, whose induction into the BJP during the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls created such a turmoil that his membership was ended within 24 hours, may make an entry into Rajya Sabha courtesy support from a faction of Bihar BJP.

Ali has filed his papers as an independent supported by the JD(U) rebels and independents for the biennial polls for three Rajya Sabha seats from the state. The other independent candidate supported by rebels is Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, who had contested last Lok Sabha polls on BJP ticket from Kishanganj. JD(U) has fielded three candidates – party president Sharad Yadav, former diplomat Pavan Kumar Verma and Ghulam Rasool Baliyavi. While Yadav’s elections would be unopposed, the rebels have put-up candidates against Verma and Baliyavi.

Sources said that some of the BJP legislators known to be close former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, were actively campaigning for Ali. BJP, with just 84 MLAs and no support forthcoming from any other party, has decided not to put up any candidate. Ali is believed to have met Sushil Modi before filing his papers. Bihar BJP was instrumental in induction of Ali in the party, which drew sharp comments from party vice-president Mukhtar Naqvi alluding Ali’s relations with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. It had led to immediate withdrawal of Ali’s membership.

 Since a candidate needs 117 first preference votes to make it to R ajya Sabha from the state, Ali is hoping that with the help of JD(U) rebels, RJD  and a faction of BJP, he could make it. He had hoped for support from party’s high command, in that case the need for RJD’s support would have ended. The faction opposed to Sushil Modi is said to be resisting the move.