He filed his nomination papers on Monday as an independent candidate for the Rajya Sabha byelections after the JD(S) legislative party unanimously decided to support him.
Liquor baron Vijay Mallya is set for a second inning in Rajya Sabha. He filed his nomination papers on Monday as an independent candidate for the Rajya Sabha byelections after the JD(S) legislative party unanimously decided to support him.
With JD(S) and independent MLA Varthur Prakash pledging support, the UB group boss is sure of 28 votes. He needs to touch the magic figure of 45 to win. Five independents are almost certain to vote for Mallya, who is also counting on surplus votes from BJP. He needs 12 more to win the seat.
Mallya was accompanied by JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy when he filed his nomination.
“If I wasn’t confident of winning, I wouldn’t have filed nomination papers. I will work out a strategy with Kumaraswamy, but won’t reveal anything now. Wait till June 17 and see,” he said. The byelections to four Rajya Sabha seats in Karnataka will be held on June 17.
Congress leader Oscar Fernandes and senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu’s win is also assured. But Congress candidate TV Maruthi’s chances appear grim.
A contest is on the cards in Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Maharashtra, where the number of candidates is more than the number of seats.
Sitting Congress MP Santosh Bagrodia, who was denied a ticket, has joined the fray as an independent in Rajasthan. He will contest against BJP’s Ram Jethmalani, who has the support of the powerful Hinduja brothers.
Considering that BJP will be short of a clear majority, Bagrodia’s entry into the fray only adds colour to the battle. Congress spokesman KL Gidwani is the seventh candidate in Maharashtra, which has six seats, while Chandigarh-based businessman KD Singh is the third candidate in Jharkhand that has two vacancies.
Meanwhile, Union ministers Ambika Soni and Jairam Ramesh were elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha as nominations closed on Monday.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}