Former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case Ujjwal Nikam, Kerala BJP leader C Sadanandan Master and Delhi-based historian Meenakshi Jain have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha. In a notification issued late Saturday night, the Union Home Ministry said the President has nominated the four to the Rajya Sabha.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of article 80 of the Constitution of India, read with clause (3) of that article, the President is pleased to nominate to the Council of States the following persons to fill the vacancies caused due to retirement of nominated members: Shri Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, Shri C Sadanandan Master, Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Dr. Meenakshi Jain,” the notification said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the nominations. Lauding Shringla’s work as a diplomat, the prime minister said his unique perspectives will greatly enrich Parliamentary proceedings.