SP renominates Jaya Bachchan as its RS candidate

In a surprise move, the Samajwadi Party on Wednesday decided to field Jaya Bachchan in the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha.

"The SP parliamentary board has decided to re-nominate its outgoing Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Jaya Bachchan in the elections slated for June 10," party spokesman Rajendra Chaudhry said. The party has also decided to field former union minister Rashid Masood for Rajya Sabha, he said.

Due to the depleted strength of the party in the Uttar Pradesh assembly, it is in a position to nominate only two leaders to the Rajya Sabha, from where seven of its sitting MPs are retiring in July this year, including Jaya Bachchan.

Owing to Jaya Bachchan's proximity to expelled general secretary Amar Singh, there were speculations within the party that she will not be given a ticket again and the SP may field its national spokesperson Mohan Singh to one of the two Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant.