Bengaluru: Trust Janata Dal (S) leaders to stray from the tradition of backing money bags during polls to Rajya Sabha scheduled to be held on June 11.
State unit president H D Kumaraswamy told Deccan Chronicle: “already five to six persons have approached us with interest to enter Rajya Sabha with our support, but we have not decided yet. A final decision will be taken only after discussions with party supremo, Mr H.D. Deve Gowda.”
Declining to divulge details of these aspirants, Mr Kumaraswamy stated that it is not right to disclose their identity unless the candidate is finalized. "I cannot rule out sending a businessman to Rajya Sabha no matter he may be from Karnataka or other states. But, a thorough background verification will be done before taking a final decision on this,” he said indirectly hinting at backlash for supporting Mr Mallya in 2010.
In fact, JD(S) has been backing businessmen in all Rajya Sabha elections. In 2004 polls , it had supported the late Mr MAM Ramaswamy, Mr Vijay Mallya in 2010 and Mr Kupendra Reddy, a realtor-businessman in 2014 poll.
In order to counter allegations that JD (S) only supports industrialists or businessmen, Mr Kumaraswamy said he met and offered support to Mrs Sudha Murthy, but she politely rejected the offer on grounds that according to rules of Infosys Technologies Ltd, no person in the top post must identify with any political party.
“So, we are keeping our options open and will select a suitable candidate to contest Rajya Sabha polls. I am in touch with a few independent legislators to secure their support as we are short of five votes,” he added.
