Sharad Yadav elected to Rajya Sabha

After the election, Yadav said his victory was only ‘partial’. 'It would be complete when two other party nominees win on June 19,' he said.

JD(U) president Sharad Yadav was declared unopposed as independent candidate, as BJP MLC Dilip Jaiswal withdrew his nomination on Wednesday to set up a direct contest between two official nominees of the JD(U) and as many rebel-sponsored candidates in the ensuing Rajya Sabha by-polls scheduled on June 19.

“JD(U) nominee Sharad Yadav has been declared elected. Now, there are Pavan Kumar Verma and Gulam Rasool Baliyawi from the JD(U) and Shabir Ali and Anil Kumar Sharma as independents in the fray,” said state assembly secretary and returning officer Hareram Mukhia.

After the election, Yadav said his victory was only ‘partial’. “It would be complete when two other party nominees win on June 19,” he said.

There was some relief for JD(U)’s ruling camp when rebel party MLA Daud Ali said he would support party’s official candidate. Even the RJD and the Congress could support JD(U) unconditionally.

Though RJD president Lalu Prasad had said the party strategy would be announced on June 19, informed sources said that it might abstain from voting. The Congress has also announced its support to JD(U) candidates for the by-election.

Rebel JD(U) legislators, however, appeared confident and claimed the support of majority of the party legislators. “Despite threats being issued by ministers, our candidates would win,” claimed Gyanendra Singh Gyanoo, who leads the rebels.