New Delhi

In yet another setback for the Congress, former Union minister Kapil Sibal on Wednesday said he had tendered his resignation to the party on May 16. Sibal announced his departure from the Congress shortly after filing his Rajya Sabha nomination papers as an independent candidate, with the backing of the Samajwadi Party (SP).

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was present during the filing of the papers. "I filled the nomination (for Rajya Sabha elections) as an independent candidate. I am thankful to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav that he supported me. I also wish to convey my gratitude to Azam Khan for the support that he has given me, not just now but over several years," Sibal said.

"Today, Kapil Sibal filed his nomination papers. He is going to Rajya Sabha with SP's support. Two more people can go to the House Kapil Siba, is a senior lawyer. He has presented his opinions well in Parliament, We hope he'll present opinions of both SP as well as himself", said Akhilesh.

The possibility of Sibal's name as the SP's choice for Rajya Sabha had gained momentum ever since the Supreme Court lawyer took up Azam Khan's case in the apex court and finally got him out last week. "If he (Sibal) managed to pursue Azam Khan's bail successfully and got the party veteran out of jail, the party should send him to the Upper House, a senior party leader had said. Sibal was part of a group of 23 leaders (G23) who had spearheaded an attempt to bring in fundamental structura changes in the Congress. 

With poll schedule for 11 Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar shortlist candidates who will be in the fray to make it to the Upper House. The SP will nominate three candidates. Discussions are also under way on the candidature of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary. Some party leaders have also proposed the name of Dimple Yadav former Kannauj MP and wife of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

#WATCH | Kapil Sibal filed nomination for Rajya Sabha elections, with the support of SP, in presence of party chief Akhilesh Yadav & party MP Ram Gopal Yadav

He says, "I've filed nomination as Independent candidate. I have always wanted to be an independent voice in the country" pic.twitter.com/HLMVXYccHR

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 25, 2022

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Meanwhile, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar is also believed to be looking forward to a meeting with Akhilesh Yadav on the issue. High-profile exits Sibal's resignation comes just days after high-profile exits of Hardik Patel and Sunil Jakhar from the Congress. Thonor had recently held a Chintan Shivir aimed at devising ways to revive the party