New Delhi:
The Prime Minister and his landlady in Assam might soon be colleagues in the Rajya Sabha.
There are two vacancies for the Rajya Sabha from Assam. Dr Manmohan Singh's term comes to an end on June 14. The second Rajya Sabha seat from the state is also falling vacant due to the end of term of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) MP Kumar Deepak Das. Hemo Prabha Saikia, a senior Congress leader and the widow of former chief minister Hiteshwar Saikia is a front runner for that seat. Interestingly, her home in Guwahati is 'rented' to Dr Singh who needs an address in the state to contest from there.
Dr Singh is expected to win his seat hands down. With the Congress and allies occupying 94 seats in the 126-member Assam Assembly, the AGP and other opposition parties have little chance of contesting against Congress nominees.
Mrs Saikia is a member of Congress Working Committee, so one will have to wait to see if she continues to be part of the that and makes way for another candidate or contests the polls along with the Prime Minister.
The prime minister files his nomination for the Rajya Sabha seat in Assam on Wednesday.
Last date to file nomination is May 20 and elections (if at all) will be on May 30.