JMM-sponsored Rajya Sabha candidate Kanwal Deep Singh has come under cloud following revelation that he still holds the post of chairman, National Meat and Poultry Processing Board, which is within the purview of office of profit.

Singh is an industrialist from Chandigarh and owner of the Alchemist Hospital. Though Singh has no connection with Jharkhand, he is believed to mustered the support of JMM-Shibu Soren to run for the Rajya Sabha seat. His nomination was also accepted by the returning officer.

The revelation that Singh holds the government-sponsored National Meat and Poultry Processing Board is learnt to have rattled the JMM MLAs who are directed to support the industrialist. As per the legal requirement, a candidate for the Rajya Sabha had to resign from any office of profits he holds before filing for the nomination. Sources say that Singh had filed the nomination without resigning from the post.

Singh is believed to be close to union minister of state for food and processing Subodh Kant Sahai who appointed him to the post of the government body. Obviously the possibility that Singh's Rajya Sabha election runs the risk of being rejected would cause flutter in the JMM camp prompting legislators to look for another option. The Congress is expected to be the obvious gainer in the confusion.