Kolkata, 09 March (H.S.) : Five candidates from West Bengal were elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha and received their certificates of election on Monday.

The elected candidates include Rajiv Kumar, Babul Supriyo, Koel Mallick, and Menaka Guruswamy from the All India Trinamool Congress, while Rahul Sinha of the Bharatiya Janata Party was also elected unopposed.

During a programme held in Kolkata, Rajiv Kumar, Babul Supriyo, Koel Mallick and Rahul Sinha received their certificates from officials of the Election Commission of India. The certificate for Menaka Guruswamy was received on her behalf by state minister Aroop Biswas.

Koel Mallick’s entry into active politics had been widely discussed in recent days. On Thursday, she had filed her nomination as a candidate for the Rajya Sabha along with her husband. At the time, she said she would try to fulfil her responsibilities if she received the blessings and support of the people.

On the same day, Babul Supriyo also filed his nomination, while Menaka Guruswamy completed her nomination process as well. Meanwhile, Rahul Sinha submitted his nomination papers at the state Assembly.

Earlier, the schedule for elections to the Upper House of Parliament had been announced. As per the programme, a notification for elections to 37 Rajya Sabha seats was issued on February 26. The last date for filing nominations was March 5, scrutiny of nomination papers took place on March 6, and March 9 was the final date for withdrawal of nominations.

Since the number of candidates matched the number of seats from West Bengal, no voting was required and all five candidates were declared elected unopposed.

After being elected, Babul Supriyo described the moment as a joyful occasion and expressed gratitude to the party leadership. He said it was a great honour and that he would strive to live up to the confidence reposed in him by the party.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh