Raipur, March 9: BJP candidate Lakshmi Verma and Congress nominee Phoolodevi Netam were on Monday elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Chhattisgarh. Both leaders reached the State Assembly to collect their election certificates following the formal completion of the poll process.
The two leaders celebrated the victory by exchanging sweets and greeting each other in the presence of several public representatives and party supporters. The unopposed election was confirmed after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations passed without any contest for the two vacant seats.
Speaking to the media after receiving their certificates, Verma and Netam thanked their respective party leaderships. They assured that they would effectively raise the issues concerning the people of Chhattisgarh and protect the state’s interests in the Upper House of Parliament.
The election is significant as both major political parties opted for women candidates. With these results, women will now hold three of the five Rajya Sabha seats from Chhattisgarh. However, this tally is expected to change in May when the term of Congress MP Ranjita Ranjan concludes.
The political equation in the Rajya Sabha from the state has shifted following these elections. While the Congress previously held four out of five seats, the BJP’s strength has now increased to two, leaving the Congress with three members.
Political analysts suggest that both parties have balanced social and caste equations through these nominations. Notably, both Verma and Netam were contenders for tickets during the 2023 Assembly elections but were not fielded at the time. Their elevation to the Rajya Sabha is seen as a strategic move by the parties to assign them higher responsibilities.
Phoolodevi Netam, a prominent tribal leader from the Bastar region, has been elected for a second consecutive term. She currently serves as the state president of the Chhattisgarh Mahila Congress.
Lakshmi Verma, a senior BJP leader, has previously served as the party’s state vice president and Raipur District Panchayat president. Her election marks her transition to a national legislative role representing the state.