<p>The BJP, which surprised many by getting Preeti Mahapatra to file her nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh, is banking on cross-voting from its rivals to ensure her victory. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Preeti, wife of Mumbai-based builder Harihar Mahapatra, is considered to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. <br /><br />The BJP has 41 members in the state Assembly and would require 34 votes to make sure its official nominee Shiv Pratap Shukla sails through. To garner those 34 votes for Preeti, who is an independent candidate, the saffron party would need to ensure 27 votes from the rival parties.<br /><br />According to party sources, there are some rebel legislators in SP, BSP and Congress who could extend support to Preeti along with the MLAs of smaller outfits like Peace Party, Nationalist Party and Apna Dal.Sources said Preeti's nomination was likely to queer the pitch for senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, also in the fray for the Upper House. </p>
<p>The BJP, which surprised many by getting Preeti Mahapatra to file her nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh, is banking on cross-voting from its rivals to ensure her victory. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Preeti, wife of Mumbai-based builder Harihar Mahapatra, is considered to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. <br /><br />The BJP has 41 members in the state Assembly and would require 34 votes to make sure its official nominee Shiv Pratap Shukla sails through. To garner those 34 votes for Preeti, who is an independent candidate, the saffron party would need to ensure 27 votes from the rival parties.<br /><br />According to party sources, there are some rebel legislators in SP, BSP and Congress who could extend support to Preeti along with the MLAs of smaller outfits like Peace Party, Nationalist Party and Apna Dal.Sources said Preeti's nomination was likely to queer the pitch for senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, also in the fray for the Upper House. </p>
