Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi, BJP leaders Subramanian Swamy and Navjot Singh Sidhu, Olympic medalist boxer Mary Kom and economist Narendra Jadhav are likely to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi, BJP leaders Subramanian Swamy and Navjot Singh Sidhu, Olympic medalist boxer Mary Kom and economist Narendra Jadhav are likely to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
Seven members will be nominated to the Upper House of Parliament. Mr Gopi, who is also the BJP’s “star campaigner” in election-bound Kerala, was congratulated by Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy during a BJP campaign meeting in Thiruvananthapuram even when the names are yet to be officially announced. Former Planning Commission member Narendra Jadhav had been attending many RSS events and senior Sangh leaders had also released his books last year, including on Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
The BJP-led NDA government, sources said, has recommended these names to President Pranab Mukherjee and a communiqué from Rashtrapati Bhavan is expected soon. The Upper House of Parliament has 12 nominated members, five of whose — including ex-cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and actor Rekha — terms still continue. Senior journalist Swapan Dasgupta could also be nominated for the Upper House.
