Senior Congress leader and former MP Birender Singh’s name has been cleared by the party high command for nomination to the Rajya Sabha from Haryana.
“I was informed today that I have got the nomination. I will be filing my papers on June 30,” the former Haryana minister said. Mr Singh, a known detractor of chief minister
hupinder Singh Hooda, had been lying low ever since his defeat to INLD president and former Haryana chief minister O.P. Chautala, to whom he lost in 2009 Assembly elections by a margin of 621 votes from Uchana Kalan constituency in Jind district.
Mr Singh’s candidature for the Rajya Sabha is also seen as a move to rehabilitate him, political analysts feel.
“I have been a Lok Sabha member earlier. However, if I get elected to Rajaya Saba, it will be a different experience. I hope I will be able to do justice and take up the vital issues of the state more effectively, including the water issues and those concerning the NCR region,” Mr Singh said.
After losing to Mr Chautala, Mr Singh had been made co-chairman of the Congress’ coordination committee for Haryana to ensure smooth functioning of the government.
Biennial election to fill the two vacancies to the Rajya Sabha from Haryana will be held on July 10.
The two seats have fallen vacant due to completion of term of Tarlochan Singh and resignation of Ajay Singh Chautala (INLD), who was elected as Dabwali MLA after the 2009 assembly polls. —PTI