Pranav Pandya refuses Rajya Sabha nomination

Pranav Pandya, head of All-World Gayatri Parivar, who was on Wednesday nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the Modi government, on Friday spurned the honour saying atmosphere in the Upper House was not conducive for him.

“I don’t think the atmosphere in Rajya Sabha is conducive for me. It will never be,” he told PTI over phone, giving reasons for his refusal to accept the nomination.

Dr Pandya, an MD in medicine, was nominated to the Rajya Sabha on May 4 by President Pranab Mukherjee following a recommendation of the government.

“I have watched the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha in last two days. The way they were abusing each other, I don’t think I will be able to change them. Rather I will devote my time outside the Rajya Sabha where I can impact the life of millions of people for their betterment,” he said. Dr Pandya, 65, the seventh person to be nominated by the Modi government, has informed the secretary-general of the Rajya Sabha as well as the home ministry about his decision through email, his close aide Suraj Prasad Shukla said.

However, when contacted, a senior MHA official said they were yet to receive any communication from Dr Pandya regarding his refusal to accept the honour. The day he was nominated to the RS, Dr Pandya tweeted: “Thanks to all who sent their congratulations for my nomination to Rajya Sabha.”

I will try to inculcate yugnirman sutras among our MPs.”

Mumbai-born Dr Pandya is director and head of the All-World Gayatri Parivar (AWGP). AWGP is claimed to be a modern adoption of the age-old wisdom of Vedic rishis who practised and propagated the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam with its headquarters in Hardwar.