The decision to deny someone a position can often be as critical in politics as the decision to award it. This is equally true for how political parties look at the candidates they can send to the Rajya Sabha – a decision influenced by a number of factors.
The move to overlook candidates, however, particularly those expected to have a smooth sail, can sometimes leave a lot to be read between the lines. That can be seen in the Janata Dal United’s move to deny a Rajya Sabha nomination to RCP Singh, the union minister for steel, for his third consecutive term. The move has also meant that the JDU might lose its lone face in the Narendra Modi-led government at the centre.
