Swapan Dasgupta resigns from Rajya Sabha amid BJP candidature controversy
What's the story
Columnist Swapan Dasgupta on Tuesday resigned from the Rajya Sabha. Dasgupta had been given a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket for the upcoming West Bengal elections. Dasgupta's candidature irked the Trinamool Congress (TMC) which demanded his disqualification from the Rajya Sabha citing constitutional rules. The 65-year-old had been fielded by the BJP from the Tarakeshwar Assembly constituency in Hooghly district. Here are more details.
Details
Dasgupta's Rajya Sabha term was till April 2022
Dasgupta reportedly tendered his resignation to Rajya Sabha chairperson Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday. His term was till April 2022. At the time of writing, his resignation had not been accepted. Dasgupta has until March 19 to file his nomination for the upcoming polls. Speaking to NDTV, he said all outstanding issues will be resolved before he files his nomination.
Quote
'Outstanding issues will be resolved before filing nomination'
Dasgupta told NDTV, "I have a particular status in the Rajya Sabha as a presidential nominee. I am contesting this election as a BJP candidate from Tarakeshwar. Naturally, between two things, there are a lot of outstanding issues." "All these issues will be resolved by the time I file my nomination," he said, adding that he will file his nomination by Friday.
Background
TMC's Mahua Moitra had demanded Dasgupta's disqualification
Demanding Dasgupta's disqualification, TMC MP Mahua Moitra had tweeted on Monday, "10th Schedule of Constitution says nominated RS member to be disqualified if he joins any political party AFTER expiry of 6 months from oath. He was sworn in April 2016, remains unallied." Congress MP Jairam Ramesh had also raised the issue with the Rajya Sabha chairperson earlier on Tuesday.
Election
8-phase Bengal elections to start later this month
The West Bengal elections will be held in eight phases: March 27 (to be held in 30 constituencies), April 1 (30), April 6 (31), April 10 (44), April 17 (45), April 22 (43), April 26 (36), and April 29 (35). Dasgupta was among the poll candidates announced by the BJP alongside Babul Supriyo from Tollygunge, Rajib Banerjee from Domjur, Locket Chatterjee from Chuchura, etc.