BENGALURU: Leaders of the ruling Congress are contemplating to field three candidates for forthcoming polls to Rajya Sabha as it would help the party to improve its strength in the House of elders.
However, to execute this, Congress party has only two choices: either field "neutral candidate" after opting for a pre-poll alliance with Janata Dal (S) or Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp must engineer the support of at least a dozen JD (S) legislators. Reason: to emerge victorious each candidate must secure at least 45 votes, but the ruling party would fall short by a dozen votes to ensure smooth sail for the third nominee as well.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader said: “At present both options are being discussed by state level leaders. As far as RS nominations or finalising strategies are concerned, they are decided in New Delhi. But, the state unit can put forth its point of view particularly when it is in power.”
The leader said a fair method would be to strike an alliance with Janata Dal (Secular) and ensure victory of the neutral candidate. "It happened in the past that both parties joined hands to ensure victory of disgraced liquor baron Vijay Mallya and multi-millionaire Kupendra Reddy, who were fielded as neutral candidates, and won the seat. But, this time there is a new line of thinking as Mr Siddaramaiah’s camp has been working closely with more than ten Janata Dal (Secular) legislators who are not in good terms with Janata Dal (Secular) state unit chief, H. D. Kumaraswamy. Thus, there are possibilities that this camp will ensure the victory of the party's third candidate by exploiting chances of division among Janata Dal (Secular) legislators," the leader added.
Besides, the leader explained that though every party was entitled issue a whip to MLAs ahead of Rajya Sabha elections, the Chief Minister’s camp feels that even if violation of whip attracts disqualification of respective party members, the ruling party would ensure delay in process of disqualification till the end of the term of this government.
"The same strategy had been adopted by Mr Kumaraswamy, who orchestrated the coup to form Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance in 2006. Though Mr Kumaraswamy had the support of only 30 MLAs, the Speaker belonged to JD(S), disqualification of MLAs did not happen," the leader added.
