Shatru wants wife in RS, triggers row

Lok Sabha MP Shatrughan Sinha’s efforts to secure a Rajya Sabha seat for his wife, Poonam Sinha, have run into opposition in the Bihar unit of the BJP.

Lok Sabha MP Shatrughan Sinha’s efforts to secure a Rajya Sabha seat for his wife, Poonam Sinha, have run into opposition in the Bihar unit of the BJP.

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The BJP can win only one seat from the state in the biennial elections to the Upper House in April-May.

Some top state BJP leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, see little merit in Sinha’s claim, party sources said.

Undaunted, Sinha is trying to secure the support of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders in Bihar. But the RSS is keeping its cards close to its chest. State RSS leader Anil Thakur said, “It is our internal matter. Lots of people come to meet us. I have nothing to say to you.”

Sinha too refused to share details. “It is a matter between me and my party. But if my wife is denied the nomination, they (BJP and RSS) will have to cite reasons,” he told HT.

Sources said the actor has been arguing that his wife had “served the BJP for 30 years” and had “actively worked among the people of Bihar during floods and other mishaps”. “If spouses Dharmendra and Hema Malini can go to Parliament, why can’t both Shatru and his wife?” asked an associate.

Modi did not comment on the issue. Bihar BJP president R.M. Singh said the Rajya Sabha poll was not being considered by the party at the moment.