NEW DELHI: Bhartiya Janata Party's Swapan Dasgupta who will be contesting from Tarakeshwar assembly constituency in the West Bengal Assembly Elections has resigned from the Rajya Sabha.
Dasgupta tweeted, "I have resigned from the Rajya Sabha today to commit myself totally to the fight for a better Bengal. I hope to file my nomination as BJP candidate for the Tarakeshwar Assembly seat in the next few days."
Dasgupta was nominated to Rajya Sabha by the President of India in April 2016. His term was till April 2022. As per reports, while tendering his resignation he requested that it be accepted by tomorrow.
This comes amid a furore after the Trinamool Congress TMC pointed out the Constitutional Rules according to which a nominated member of a House "shall be disqualified for being a member of the House if he joins any political party after the expiry of six months from the date on which he takes his seat".
Earlier, on Monday, TMC MP Mahua Moitra pointing out the rules of disqualification of the MPs, stated that Mr Dasgupta, who was nominated to the upper house by former President Pranab Mukherjee in 2016, hasn't declared any allegiance to the BJP.
"Swapan Dasgupta is BJP candidate for WB polls. 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. Must be disqualified NOW for joining BJP," Moitra tweeted.
Dasgupta was named a BJP candidate for the Tarakeshwar constituency in Hoogly district last week. However, his candidature came under the scanner, after the Opposition demanded scrutiny.
Congress MP, Jairam Ramesh also inquired on the candidature of the Dasgupta.
The demand for Dasgupta's disqualification was raised after BJP candidate for Nandigram Suvendu Adhikari raised a question on TMC chief Mamata Banerjee's nomination papers and caller her a "liar". A delegation of the BJP also reached the Election Commission demanding the cancellation of Banerjee's nomination.