Salim Khan turns down BJP’s offer of making him a Rajya Sabha MP

In a recent political development, the ruling BJP has decided to fill up the Rajya Sabha vacancies in the nominated category before the Parliament session starts tomorrow.

Though the party hasn’t made formal announcement of names, sources say the government has shortlisted BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi, journalist Swapan Dasgupta, Olympic medallist Mary Kom, economist Narendra Jadhav and former MP and cricket commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu.

In fact, highly placed sources in the party claimed that Salim Khan, screenplay writer and father of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, too was offered a Rajya Sabha berth.

Khan, who is known to be an ardent supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, politely turned down the offer.

Speculations are rife the party is in talks with journalist Rajat Sharma and actor Anupam Kher, and that they too have agreed and will be made MP at a later stage.

There are 12 nominated members in Rajya Sabha and there are seven vacancies at the moment.

Members are selected in the nominated category by the President on recommendation of the government. Since the government can recommend names of persons having special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service, the discretion gives the ruling party or alliance a wide option to select people.