The West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee headed party said they are selecting Sircar because “his invaluable contribution to public servicer shall help us serve our country better.”

“We are delighted to nominate Jawhar Sircar in the Upper House of the Parliament,” a TMC statement said.

Sircar spent nearly 42 years in public service and was also the former CEO of Prasar Bharati.

Reacting to his nomination, Sircar said he was surprised when he was first offered the position but he would strive to work for the people.

“I have been a bureaucrat all my life. I am not a political person but I would definitely work for the development of the masses and raise the issues concerning the masses in parliament,” he said. “The intolerant, dictatorial Narendra Modi regime should be opposed and resisted at all levels. This nomination will give me a better opportunity to speak more forcefully against this BJP government,”