Former cricketer, realtor nominated to Council

Congress leaders Prakash Rathod and U B Venkatesh were nominated to the Karnataka Legislative Council on Tuesday.

For Rathod, a former cricketer, this will be his second stint as MLC. He was first nominated in 2004. Venkatesh is a realtor who is known to be a close aide of Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara.

Governor Vajubhai R Vala nominated Rathod and Venkatesh as members of the Legislative Council under Article 171 of the Constitution, which provides for such nominations of members having special knowledge or practical experience in the fields of literature, science, art, sports, cooperative movement and social service. The nominations are based on recommendations made by the state government.

Rathod played Ranji (domestic) cricket as part of the Karnataka team from 1981-87. He played 16 Ranji trophy matches. He was part of the state team that won the trophy in 1983 and the Irani trophy a year later. Rathod also represented India in the under-19 team against Pakistan in 1978.

Venkatesh is the MD of Vishala Property Developers, which has stakes in the Royal Meenakshi Mall on Bannerghatta Road. He was also chairperson of Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited.

The state government is also learnt to have nominated Vinisha Nero as the Anglo-Indian representative to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.