JOIN USBusinessman Kupendra Reddy has sought Congress ticket to contest the Rajya Sabha elections to be held on June 19.
Bangalore-based Reddy has been with the Congress since 1994. He had unsuccessfully contested on Congress ticket in the 2008 Assembly elections from Bommanahalli. He declined to contest in the Assembly elections in 2013.
Reddy, who also enjoys the support of the JD(S), said, “I asked the party president to field me as their candidate. I do not mind being the third candidate. But I am yet to hear from the party regarding my request.”
The Congress can win two seats on its strength. And, to win one more seat, it would fall short of about 19 votes. There were rumours that former Union minister P Chidambaram, with the support of the JD(S), may re-enter Rajya Sabha from Karnataka.
However, there has been opposition for his candidature by a few prominent leaders. It is said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah may not encourage the party to take JD(S) support to win a seat. The party may renominate S M Krishna and B K Hariprasad for the RS polls, it is said.
To a question on whether he would bank on the JD(S) for winning, in case he became the candidate, he said, “Let the party take a decision regarding my candidature, then I can work out modalities to win.”
Asked whether he would contest as an independent candidate if he failed to get the party ticket, he said he was hopeful of becoming the official nominee. Reddy figured as one of the wealthiest candidates who contested the Assembly polls in 2008. He is the promoter of RGS software firm and Primal Properties.
KPCC president G Parameshwara said none had approached the party seeking tickets. He also said a one-line resolution would be passed authorising the AICC chief to take a final call on the selection of candidates.