Congress to prevent more leaders from leaving the party, Ghulam Nabi Azad may be given a Rajya Sabha seat

NEW DELHI: Former Union Minister Kapil Sibal's resignation from the party has prompted the Congress to be cautious in deciding the Rajya Sabha seat. As per sources, Ghulam Nabi Azad, the powerful rebel leader in the Congress may be given a seat in the Rajya Sabha elections as part of reconciling efforts. Anand Sharma and Mukul Wasnik, whose names have also come up for the seat, may be left out. P Chidambaram, Jairam Ramesh, Jitendra Singh and Ajay Maken may also be given Rajya Sabha seats.

Kapil Sibal is contesting for Rajya Sabha election with the support of Samajwadi Party from UP. SP President Akhilesh Yadav accompanied him for submission of nomination. Sibal resigned from Congress membership on May 16. He made it clear that he wanted to be an independent voice and that he had filed his nomination as an independent candidate. After submitting the nomination, Sibal told the media that the aim was to form a broad alliance against the Modi government.

The Rajya Sabha elections will be held next month. Kapil Sibal was a member of the G23 group which criticises Congress leadership and his resignation came as a shock to the Congress. Patidar leader Hardik Patel also resigned from Congress last week.