NEW DELHI, Feb 25 - The biennial election for filling up 13 Rajya Sabha seats in six States, including Assam, has been declared. It is scheduled to be held on March 21.
The two Rajya Sabha MPs from Assam who are retiring are Nazneen Faruque and Pankaj Bora, both belonging to the Congress. Other States where seats are falling vacant are Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Nagaland, Tripura and Punjab.
According to the Election Commission, the notification for the election would be issued on March 4, while the last date of making nomination expires on March 11. Scrutiny would take place on March 12 and the last date of withdrawal is March 14.
The announcement of the poll schedule is expected to result in hectic lobbying for the two berths in Assam. While the two sitting MPs are in the race for another term, others who are vying for a seat include PCC president Anjan Dutta, former union ministers Paban Singh Ghatowar and Ranee Narah, Dwijen Sarmah, Kirip Chaliha and Bishnu Prasad.
According to sources, a prominent media baron has also been sending feelers, while AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal has already declared his support for Abdul Muhib Mazumdar, who is from the Congress. But the proposal has received lukewarm response from the party.
