Senior journalist Atanu Bhuyan collected his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha polls on Thursday, fuelling speculation that he is the candidate the ruling BJP could back. Senior cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday the ruling alliance had the “envi-ronment” to win a third seat.

Sarma said on Thursday that an “important” Congress legislator was going to join the BJP within a day or two and a few other MLAs could follow suit, suggesting that the Opposition may not find it easy to see its candidate through despite having the numbers.

Sarma also hinted that the BJP would support Bhuyan if he can collect the mandatory signatures of 10 legislators to file his nomination. “I don’t think that without receiving our support or without a purpose, he collected the nomination papers. If someone collects 10 signatures, there will be an election (for the third seat) and then we will have to vote him. We cannot vote for an AIUDF candidate,” he said.

Bhuyan collected his form through another senior reporter, a day after the Opposition Congress and the AIUDF announced senior journalist Ajit Kumar Bhuyan as their unanimous candidate. If Atanu files his nomination on Friday, the last day for filing papers, the contest for the third seat could turn into a “Bhuyan vs Bhuyan” battle.

“There are two common candidates of the ruling alliance (BJP, AGP and BPF). If the Congress and the AIUDF join hands, they will win the third seat. But within a day or two, an important Congress MLA will join the BJP. A few other MLAs are also inclined towards us,” Sarma said. “The scene will be clear tomorrow and after the withdrawal of nominations on March 18,” a Congress insider said.

The BJP and its alliance partner have 86 legislators. Besides, it has support of the lone Independent candidate. To win a Rajya Sabha seat, a candidate needs 32 votes.