'Shortcomings in penance': Discontent grows in Congress over Rajya Sabha nominations

The names of Congress veteran leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Veerappa Moily did not figure in the Rajya Sabha candidate's list, as the trio were hopeful to be nominated, but it was the loyalists who got the tickets.

The loyalists include mostly the GenNext leaders, but Mukul Wasnik and P Chidambaram did find a place. This has led to discontent within the party and even many in the young brigade too are upset.

Also Read — Congress announces 10 candidates for Rajya Sabha polls, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma not in first list

Party spokesperson Pawan Khera, who was hopeful from Rajasthan, tweeted, "There may be shortcomings in my penance." On his tweet, Nagma, a former actress, who is in the party since long replied, "my 18 years of work fell short of Imran Bhai."

Hinting her discomfort, Nagma said, "Sonia ji our Congress president had personally committed to accommodating me in RS in 2003/04 when I joined Congress party on her behest we weren't in power then. Since then it's been 18 years they din't find an opportunity Mr Imran is accommodated in RS from Maharashtra I ask am I less deserving (sic)".

Another leader Jitendra Baghel asked how many SC/ST/OBC were nominated. Mukul Wasnik is from the SC community, but the hopes of Kumari Selja and P.L. Punia were also dashed after the list came in public.

Discontent in the poll-bound states of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan is also brewing as the party chose outsiders for the Rajya Sabha nominations.

From the G-23, the party has accommodated Vivek Tankha and Mukul Wasnik, but the left outs are unhappy with the list.

The Congress on Sunday announced a list of 10 candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections, which includes Randeep Singh Surjewala, Imran Pratapgarhi and Pramod Tiwari, among others, leaving out prominent G-23 leaders -- Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma.

Biennial elections for the 57 Rajya Sabha seats will be held across 15 states on June 10.

The Congress has nominated Rajeev Shukla and Ranjeet Ranjan from Chhattisgarh, Ajay Maken from Haryana, Jairam Ramesh from Karnataka, Vivek Tankha from Madhya Pradesh and P Chidambaram from Tamil Nadu.

Imran Pratapgarhi has been fielded from Maharashtra, while Mukul Wasnik, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Pramod Tiwari have been nominated from Rajasthan.