The Hindu : Discussion on for new RS nominees

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 25, 2003

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Discussion on for new RS nominees

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI AUG. 24. The Vajpayee Government today held a detailed discussion on its nominees to the Rajya Sabha. The names of personalities which figured in the discussion at a meeting at the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee's residence included the Reserve Bank of India Governor, Bimal Jalan, the CSIR chief, R.A. Mashelkar, filmstar, Hema Malini and Andhra Pradesh media baron, Ramoji Rao.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, the Finance Minister, Jaswant Singh, and the BJP president, M. Venkaiah Naidu, official sources said.

Though a final decision on the eight new Rajya Sabha nominees was yet to be taken, sources believe that the list has been ``more or less'' clinched.

The others who are believed to be the frontrunners include industrialist, Nusli Wadia, Pioneer Editor, Chandan Mitra, the ISRO Chairman, Kasturirangan, noted columnist, TVR Shenoy and Assamese musician, Bhupen Hazarika.

The six-year term of all the eight nominated members will come to an end on August 26. They were all nominated during the last days of the United Front Government of the Prime Minister I.K. Gujral. However, new nominees need not be inducted immediately after the vacancies arise and some expect that intense lobbying will go on for some more days.

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