‘Not A politician’: Raghuram Rajan Dismisses Speculation About Rajya Sabha Seat
Raghuram Rajan said he has not discussed a Rajya Sabha seat with any party.
New Delhi: Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan has categorically dismissed all speculation that he could be in the reckoning for a Rajya Sabha seat. He said his meetings with "politicians from different parties" only involved “exchange in views”. The statement came after several media reports said Rajan could be a candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election, fielded by the Congress or the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) from Maharashtra.
“There has been some speculation in the press about my recent meetings and a Rajya Sabha seat. I have not discussed a Rajya Sabha seat with any party,” Rajan said in a LinkedIn post.
“I am an academic, not a politician. My meetings with politicians from different parties typically involve an exchange in views about the current economic situation in India, and their hopes for the future,” he added.
The rumour surrounding his candidature for the Rajya Sabha started after he recently met Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshri, the latter's residence in Mumbai. Thackeray's son and MLA Aaditya Thackeray was also present during the meeting. In an Instagram post, Aaditya later said: "Truly a delight to host Raghuram Rajan ji at our home, Matoshri. Apart from his already vast contribution to our economy in various roles, including being the Governor of the RBI, we strongly believe the future of the Indian economy must be guided by such individuals with a vision for the future."
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Elections to 56 Rajya Sabha seats across 15 states will take place on February 27 to fill seats vacated by members retiring in April 2024, the Election Commission of India announced earlier this week.
Six Rajya Sabha seats are falling vacant from Maharashtra, with the terms of current MPs Prakash Javadekar, Kumar Ketkar, Anil Desai, V Muralidharan, Vandana Chavan and Narayan Rane ending on April 2.
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