NRI Mike Mallappa withdrew his nomination

Chandrashekar set to enter RS

Bangalore, March 28, 2006
Business Standard

The entry of Bangalore-based industrialist Rajeev Chandrashekar to Rajya Sabha from Karnataka has been made easy with the BJP on Monday diverting its surplus votes in his favour.

The elections to the Rajya Sabha are scheduled for Tuesday. A candidate requires 46 votes to enter the Rajya Sabha and there are five contestants in the fray — K Rahman Khan (Congress), M V Rajashekaramurthy (JD-S), K B Shanappa (BJP), Rajeev

Chandrashekar (Independent backed by BJP and JD-S) and Kannada litterateur U R Ananthamurthy (Independent backed by Congress, Siddaramaiah faction of JD-S and two independents). Another independent NRI Mike Mallappa withdrew his nomination.

The Karnataka Assembly has 224 legislators. The BJP’s strength in the Legislative Assembly is 79 and that of its ally JD (U) is 5.

While 47 votes will be polled in favour of Shanappa, the remaining 32 will be diverted to Chandrashekar. The JD (U) will also vote for him. A decision to this effect was taken at a special meeting of the BJP here on Monday.

The JD (S) has 50 votes while the breakaway faction led by Siddaramaiah has eight. The JD (S) candidate Rajashekaramurthy will get 47 votes and the surplus three will be diverted to Chandrashekar.

Nine independents, supporting JD(S), 2 independents identified with Shiva Sena, one RPI and one Kannada Nadu legislators will vote in favour of Chandrashekar. As of now, Chandrashekar has 53 votes, six more than the required 46 votes.

That makes it easy for Chandrashekar to enter Rajya Sabha.

The defeat of his rival, Jnanapith awardee Ananthamurthy, appears imminent. The Congress’ strength in the Assembly is 64.

Even if the Congress candidate Rehman Khan bags 47 votes, Ananthamurthy will be left with 17 votes. He is backed by Siddaramaiah’s faction (8 votes) and two independents. He might end up bagging more than 30 votes.