Bhopal, Mar 15: All the three Rajya Sabha nominees from the Bharatiya Janata Party in Madhya Pradesh - vis-a-vas Maya Singh, Raghunandan Sharma and Prabhat Jha filed their nomination papers here on Saturday, which in fact was the last date of filing of nomination forms.

Notable among those who were present during the filing of nomination forms included Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, senior BJP leader, Sushma Swaraj, State BJP president, Narendra Singh Tomar, besides number of the state cabinet and MLAs. The papers were received by Vidhan Sabha secretary Dr AK Payasi.

Among the three contenders, Maya Singh was the first to file paper. She filed her nomination form at 11 am. Thereafter, Raghunandan Sharma and Prabhat Jha also filed their papers.

Talking to media persons after filing of the nomination forms, all the three candidates as well as senior party leader Sushma Swaraj exuded confidence of their victory. Commenting on doubts over victory of the third candidate due to lack of 8 votes, she said it would become clear during open voting.

Other senior leaders present at the time of filing of papers include Commercial tax minister, Babulal Gaur, Finance minister, Raghavji, PWD minister, Kailash Vijayvargiya, Parliamentary affairs minister, Narottam Mishra, school education minister, Dr Gauri Shankar Shejwar, forest minister, Kunwar Vijay Shah, minerals and Public Relations minister Laxmikant Sharma respectively.