New Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on July 15 announced it would support the candidature of former Maharashtra Governor P C Alexander for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from the state.

The announcement was made by NCP president Sharad Pawar who said Alexander would be contesting as an independent.

Hailing Alexander for his role as the state Governor, Pawar appealed to all political parties to support him to enable his unanimous election.

Congress, which is leading the coalition in which NCP is a constituent, had opposed Alexander's candidature for the Presidential elections.

The election has been caused by the death of NCP member Mukesh Patel.

Reports earlier had it that Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would be supporting the candidature of Alexander, who resigned as Maharashtra Governor last week.

July 15 is the last date for filing nominations for the July 25 Rajya Sabha by- poll.

PTI