Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan Thursday regained his lost political ground after he emerged victorious to secure a berth in the Rajya Sabha from Bihar.
Among others who were declared winners are BJP’s spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy, industrialist Dr Vijaya Mallya and RJD’s Ram Kripal Yadav.
Paswan’s victory can be attributed to the backing of RJD led by Lalu Prasad Yadav. Although, details are not available yet, he is believed to have mustered the backing of the Left and Congress too. Details about two other seats from the state are awaited.
Besides the five sets from Bihar, elections are also being held for four in Karnataka, three in Orissa and two in Jharkhand. Out of total forty-nine seats to be vacated in the Upper House, 21 Rajya Sabha MPs of various parties have already been elected unopposed.
Other prominent candidates who are seeking entry into Parliament’s Upper House from different states are - Ram Jethmalani, former BJP President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Congress’ Oscar Fernandes and Anand Sharma.
In Rajasthan the main battle is between BJP’s Ram Jethmalani, who is a rank outsider and whose nomination has hugely divided the saffron party in the state. Ahead of polls, there were reports of all 79 BJP MLAs in Rajasthan being locked up in a resort outside Jaipur to prevent any cross-voting or horse trading.
The 86-year-old lawyer has had a difficulty time convincing the BJP MLAs about his suitability for election to Rajya Sabha. Congressman Santosh Bagrodia is contesting as an Independent in Rajasthan.
Union Minister for Commerce & Industry Anand Sharma is also contesting for his Rajya Sabha seat from the state. Sharma actually hails from Haryana and has been politically active in Himachal Pradesh. He is considered as an outsider in Rajasthan and the state unit of the Congress party is reportedly unhappy at him being fielded from the state.
In Karnataka, industrialist Vijay Mallya, who has contested as an Independent with the backing of JD(S), has won a seat in the Upper House. Mallya is believed to have mustered support from BJP despite opposition from a section of its leaders including Chief Minister BS Yedyurappa to support the liquor baron.
Congress’ Oscar Fernandes is also in the fray from the state.
