New Delhi, July 14: The President of India Ram Nath Kovind has announced the names of four nominated candidates for Rajya Sabha on Saturday. The members nominated today are Farmer Leader Ram Shakal, Author and Columnist Rakesh Sinha, Sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra and Classical Dancer Sonal Mansingh.

About the Four Nominated Members:

Ram Shakal is an Indian politician belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was elected to the Lok Sabha the lower house of Indian Parliament from Robertsganj in Uttar Pradesh in 1996,1998 and 1999.

Rakesh Sinha is Rashtriya Sawyamsewak Sangh (RSS) leader. He is also the founder and honorary director of the Delhi-based think-tank “India Policy Foundation.” Sinha is a Professor of Motilal Nehru College of Delhi University and is also currently a member of the Indian Council of Social Science Research.

Raghunath Mohapatra is an architect and sculptor from Odisha state in India. He was awarded Padma Shri in 1975 and Padma Bhushan in 2001. He was also awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2013.

Sonal Mansingh is an Indian classical dancer and Guru Bharatanatyam and Odissi dancing style. She is also a noted social worker from Gujarat and Padma Vibhushan winner in 2004. She was also awarded Padma Bhushan in 1992 and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987.

The recently nominated members will replace cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, actor Rekha, businesswoman Anu Agha, and former Attorney General of India K Parasaran. The current strength of Rajya Sabha is 245. The BJP has 69 members in the upper house, where the Congress has only 50 members.

The President can nominate 12 members to the upper house. These members can be nominated for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social services. Members sit for staggered six-year terms. One-third of the members of the house retire after every two years.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 14, 2018 12:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).