Rajya Sabha elections first test for Udaipur Declaration  

Party had adopted the “50 under 50“ formula to keep half the positions for all those who are under 50-years of age

The upcoming Rajya Sabha elections could be the first test of implementing Congress’ Udaipur Declaration in which the party adopted the “50 under 50” formula or keep half the positions for all those who are under 50-years of age.

The party’s choice of nominees could also determine the next move by leaders of G-23, the ginger group that is pushing for internal reforms. G-23 leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma are among the contenders but the party has limited number of berth and will have to make some tough choices.

A senior leader, however, said the 50 under 50 rule will mainly apply to party posts now and from the 2024 Lok Sabha in candidate selection as well.

The way the number stack up, the Congress will get three from Rajasthan, two from Chhattisgarh and one each from Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.

Among the existing allies, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has already left one seat for the Congress from its quota and in States like Bihar and Jharkhand, the Congress will have to depend upon the magnanimity of its allies the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) to secure one seat each from these States. The Congress currently has 29 members in the Upper House.

In her meeting with G-23 leaders, Congress president Sonia Gandhi is said to have assured them of adequate representation in the party as well as Parliament but did express her concern about limited opportunities.

Mr. Azad is among 11 members in the Upper House since its inception to have had five terms. Entering the Rajya Sabha in 1990, he has served five continuous terms, barring a three year gap between April 2006 to February 2009.