BJP likely to field RS MPs for LS elections

THE BJP is set to field many of its Rajya Sabha MPS-regard less of whether their terms are ending before April or later for the Lok Sabha polls from many "difficult" seats.

- RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR

The party on Sunday named 14 candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls including former Union minister RPN Singh and Sudhanshu Trivedi - the only outgoing MP renominated by the party.

Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who represents Karnataka in Rajya Sabha, and BJP chief spokesperson Anil Baluni, the outgoing MP from Uttarakhand, have been replaced with fresh faces amid indications that they may contest the Lok Sabha polls.

The first among those who are likely to be fielded as candidates for LS seats is said to be the party's Bihar strongman Sushil Kumar Modi. His name was missing in the list of 14, including two announced from Bihar for the Upper House.

BJP sources said Modi is being considered a candidate from the Bhagalpur Lok Sabha seat with a substantial presence of Vaishya voters. It is also seen as a BJP stronghold.