PM elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday was declared elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha for the fourth consecutive term from Assam.

State Assembly Secretary and Returning Officer G P Das declared the Prime Minister elected unopposed from one of the two seats as the third contestant.

Meanwhile, former Congress member Matang Singh withdrew his nomination papers in support of the Prime Minister.

Matang Singh, an independent candidate, backed by the Assam United Democratic Front, said he was withdrawing from the contest "in support of Singh" who has filed his nomination for one of the two seats.

Main Opposition Asom Gana Parishad nominee and former minister Kumar Deepak won the second seat making his maiden entry to the house.

On whether Matang Singh had succumbed to pressure from top AICC leaders with whom he has maintained close links and withdrew, the former Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister said, "I will not like to comment now".

"It is only due to my respect for the Prime Minister that I have chosen to withdraw," he added.

However, AUDF MLAs including Rasul Haque, Aminul Haque, Basir Hafiz Choudhury and Langthasa, claimed that due to pressure from top Congress leaders, including union ministers, Singh has withdrawn from the race.

(With PTI inputs)