Speculation is rife in the state BJP over nominees for election to the Rajya Sabha where five seats from Bihar would fall vacant on July 7.

From the NDA quota, one member is to be elected to the Upper House of Parliament. Two members will also be sent to the Legislative Council. According to BJP sources, names of four BJP state leaders - former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, former BJP state president Gopal Narayan Singh, BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain and Sabir Ali, who switched over to the BJP last year ahead of the Assembly elections - are doing the rounds.

A section of BJP leaders feel that as the final decision is to be taken by the high command in Delhi, there is a possibility that a national leader will be accommodated for the Rajya Sabha seat. In such a situation, minister of state (independent charge), commerce and industry, Nirmala Sitharaman could make the cut.

The names for BJP candidates for the Rajya Sabha and two seats for the Legislative Council will be discussed at the state election committee meeting scheduled on Monday. The meeting will be attended by state in-charge Bhupender Yadav, co-in-charge C.R. Patil and Pawan Sharma, apart from state president Mangal Pandey and other leaders.

Pandey told The Telegraph: "In the meeting, senior party leaders will discuss the names for the Rajya Sabha seat and two seats of the Legislative Council. However, the final names will be decided by the central high command."