BJP might pick Sidhu, Mary Kom, Swamy for RS

The BJP has shortlisted names for six nominations for vacant Rajya Sabha seats if reports are to be believed. Gandhi family baiter Subramanian Swamy, Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi, journalist Swapan Dasgupta, Olympic boxer Mary Kom, economist Narendra Jadhav and flamboyant cricket commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu are reported to have been picked by the party.

On the seventh nomination, the contenders are said to be actor Anupam Kher and newsman Rajat Sharma.

There are seven vacancies out of 12 nominated members. On crucial issues, the vote of these 12 members can bolster the ruling government’s strength, as often they have voted in a partisan manner.   

These 12 nominated members are picked for their "special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service".

The NDA government has to put crucial bills for the approval of Rajya Sabha, including the GST bill.