The Trinamool Congress will nominate actor Mithun Chakraborty to one of the five Rajya Sabha seats, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjere said here on Saturday. “In our State five Rajya Sabha members will be elected this time. One of these seats will be given to Mithun Chakraborty from the All India Trinamool Congress,” she said on a social networking site.
Describing Mr. Chakraborty as an “asset not only of West Bengal, but also of the entire country” Ms. Banerjee said her party was “proud” to nominate him to the Rajya Sabha. “Mr. Chakraborty is a well-known film personality. He has devoted his life to the cause of cultural and social activities with great success.
In 2013, the national award-winning film actor was awarded Banga Bibhusan — the highest civilian award instituted by the Mamata Banerjee government. The Rajya Sabha election for 55 seats is scheduled for February 7. The last date for filing nomination papers is January 28.
“Trinamool Congress may field candidates in all the five seats for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections,” general secretary Mukul Roy said on the party’s official website.
Stating that the party has 65.3 per cent of the total votes in the Assembly, the leadership claimed that the strength would allow it to “directly field three candidates who may win uncontested. For the fourth and the fifth seat, there will be vote through ballots.”
Published - January 18, 2014 04:03 pm IST
