Just in: BJP senior leader Dr Subramanian Swamy, former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu, Olympian boxer Mary Kom, senior journalist Swapan Dasgupta, economist Dr Narendra Jhadav, Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

The BJP government has recommended these names to President Pranab Mukherjee. A communique from the Rashtrapati Bhavan is expected shortly.

This list has since been approved by the Union Cabinet and the Prime Minister's Office.

The RS has 12 nominated members in its total strength of 245. At present, the upper House has 10 nominated members. On the government's recommendation, the President nominates members from those with special knowledge or having made their mark in literature, science, art and social service.