BJP Divided over Supporting Mallya in Karnataka RS Polls
BJP is divided over supporting business magnate Vijay Mallya, who is contesting Karnataka Rajya Sabha elections as an Independent candidate with support of JDS, said media reports.
According to reports, party’s central leadership wants its legislatures to transfer its excess votes for Mallya to defeat second candidate of congress party.
However, chief minister BS Yeddyurappa doesn’t want to be seen as supporter of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, whose JDS is backing Mallya, reports said.
He has also convened a meeting of BJP legislature party to discuss the issue in Bangalore later on Wednesday.
If BJP MLAs don’t back Mallya, Congress candidate TV Maruthi will easily win the election.
Oscar Fernandes and Maruthi are two candidates named by the Congress for the June 17 elections to the four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka.
In Orissa, BJP has decided to support a Congress-backed candidate Tara Patnaik to defeat the Biju Janata Dal candidate Baishnap Parida.
There are three seats for Orissa in the Rajya Sabha. While the BJD is expected to easily win the first two, the third seat is being hotly contested by the BJD and the Congress.
(Based on internet reports)
