THE NOMINATION papers filed by Union Minister Arjun Singh and four BJP nominees for the biennial election to fill up five Rajya Sabha seats from Madhya Pradesh were found valid during scrutiny today.
While Arjun Singh filed three sets of nomination papers, BJP nominees- former Delhi Chief Minister Sushma Swaraj, former Union Minister Vikram Verma, Narayan Singh Kesri and Anasuiya Uike- filed two sets each and all were found in order, said Returning Officer and Madhya Pradesh Assembly Principal Secretary Dr A K Payasi.
The last date for withdrawal of nomination is March 20, when all five candidates would be declared elected unopposed.
Of the five seats falling vacant, Congress held three and BJP two.
BJP re-nominated sitting members Vikram Verma and Narayan Kesri. For the lone seat winnable by the Congress, Arjun Singh has been re-nominated.
P K Maheshwari had not been given ticket by the Congress this time. Union Law Minister Hansraj Bharadwaj, who had earlier represented Madhya Pradesh, is being fielded from Haryana this time.