BJP says cheers to Vijay Mallya’s Rajya Sabha seat

Liquor baron Vijay Mallya looks set to win the Rajya Sabha seat from Karnataka with the BJP deciding to support his independent candidature.

The decision to support Mallya was informally taken by the BJP top brass after the former met BJP national president Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Monday morning.

BJP leader and spokesperson Ayanur Manjunath told DNA: “The national (BJP) leaders have left it to the state BJP to take the decision. On Wednesday (June 16) BJP legislative party meeting and core committee meeting will be held and an official decision would be taken.”

The by-elections for four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka will be held on June 17. Mallya needs a total of 45 first preference votes. He is assured of 27 JD(S) MLAs’ votes, that of independent MLA Varthur Prakash, and five independent MLAs.  He needs 12, and BJP has 26 surplus votes coming his way.