Jaipur, May 21 -- Amid speculation over upcoming Rajya Sabha nominations from Rajasthan, several prominent BJP leaders were discussed at the party's state core committee meeting, with former Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore, BJP national secretary Alka Gurjar, former state president Satish Poonia and former minister Prabhu Lal Saini emerging as key contenders, people aware of the matter said. Three Rajya Sabha MPs from Rajasthan - BJP MP Rajendra Gehlot, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, and Congress MP Neeraj Dangi - will retire on June 21. The 200-seat Rajasthan Assembly includes 118 BJP members and 67 Congress members. That gives Congress sufficient votes for one seat; it requires 51 first-preference votes to secure that seat and the BJP enough votes for two seats. Since losing the Assembly elections, both Poonia and Rathore have been frequently mentioned as potential parliamentary candidates. Neither was fielded in the Lok Sabha polls, and both were overlooked for Assembly bypoll, people aware of the matter said. Poonia is currently serving as the BJP's Haryana in-charge, a role assigned to him within the organisation. Rathore is not holding any major responsibility at present, prompting speculation that the party may seriously consider his name this time, the people said. Alka Gurjar's name has also gained traction within party circles. She was earlier considered for an Assembly ticket from eastern Rajasthan but was denied a chance to contest. People cited above said the BJP is now weighing her candidature for the Rajya Sabha, noting the party currently has no woman Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan. Party insiders also said Gurjar fits into the BJP's caste equations. Discussions are also taking place around Prabhu Lal Saini under the OBC category. Saini served as a minister in the Vasundhara Raje government and was also BJP state vice-president. He contested the assembly poll from Hindoli, but lost. He was also considered a strong contender for the Anta bypoll. The people said the leadership is now considering compensating him with a Rajya Sabha berth. Industrialist and social worker Narsi Kularia has also emerged in discussions. A resident of Seelwa Moolwas village in Nokha tehsil of Bikaner district, Kularia heads the Narsi Group, which reportedly worked on the interiors of the new Parliament building, the people aware of the matter said. The people said the RSS is also backing Kularia's name, though there was no formal discussion about him during the core committee meeting. A senior leader said the party may also consider a party worker who has served the organisation for long. "The BJP has often surprised everyone with its choices. There are discussions about introducing a new yet experienced face who has devoted years to strengthening the party organisation," the leader said. He added that out of the three Rajya Sabha seats, two are likely to go to the BJP. "One seat is expected to be given again to Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, while the other is likely to go to a leader from Rajasthan."...