JOIN USAcharya probable candidate for Rajya Sabha
Sources in the BJP said that certain leaders are very keen on sending Acharya to Rajya Sabha as he is a senior leader and his services could be made use at Delhi. It is said that the Sangh as well as the CM is inclined to have Acharya in Delhi as ‘Karnataka’s representative’.
Acharya confirmed that his name has been shortlisted for the RS polls. He also said that he will do as his party desires. But sources said that Acharya is keen on continuing as minister. He has another four years to complete as MLC. A source also said that subtle differences have cropped up between the CM and Acharya.
Other names
The other names which are making rounds in the BJP for the RS elections are that of Vaman Acharya, Dayananda Pai and Diwakar. The BJP, on its strength in the Assembly, can send two members to Rajya Sabha. In all probability, Venkaiah Naidu will be fielded again from the State.
The BJP core committee is meeting on Friday to finalise the names of candidates for the elections to the Council, which is scheduled on June 10. The meeting may also discuss the RS elections.
On Thursday evening too the CM, K S Eshwarappa and D V Sadananda Gowda and a few other leaders were closeted for long to discuss the selection of candidates.
Council polls
In case of the Council polls, the political race to finalise candidates is gearing up to a photo finsih. The BJP, with a strength of 116 MLAs, can send four members to the Council.
According to sources, the names of V Somanna, N Thippanna and long time party associate Narayanasa Bande have almost been finalised. Both Somanna and Thippanna joined the BJP after quitting the Congress and JD(S) respectively.
The names of former MP C H Vijayashankar, party spokesperson Ayanur Manjunath, and Raghunath Mallakapure are also doing the rounds for the fourth seat. The names of cine artistes M M Chandru, Tara, Saikumar and Jayamala are said to be shortlisted for one of the vacancies in the nomination slot.
27 members
The JD(S), having 27 members in the Assembly, can send one candidate but only with the support of the Congress. A tie-up between the Congress and the JD(S) is yet to be finalised with both parties adopting a “wait and watch” policy. The JD(S), sources said, is eying at one more seat. It would ask the Congress to give it one MLC seat in return for its support during the Rajya Sabha elections. With the JD-S’ support, the Congress can bag two Rajya Sabha seats, sources added.
JD(S) State President H D Kumaraswamy left for Delhi to hold talks with the Congress leaders in this regard. Several possibilities of “seat sharing” between the JD(S) and the Congress were being talked about in political circles on Thursday.
* Congress provides support to two council seats to the JD(S). The JD(S) inturn will support the Congress for its one seat in the Rajya Sabha (RS) polls coming up shortly after the Council elections.
* The JD(S) supports Congress for the one seat in the Council, while Congress will provide the necessary votes for JD(S) for a RS seat.
* The JD(S) will support Congress both for a Council seat and a RS seat. But in turn either H D Kumaraswamy or N Cheluvarayaswamy of the JD(S) will have to be given a berth in the Union ministry
If there are more than seven candidates in fray after the last day for withdrawal of nominations (June 3), then elections will be held on June 10. Counting will be held on the same day.