Parties in Karnataka vie for seats

BENGALURU: The Karnataka legislature has plunged into intense backroom negotiations over one Rajya Sabha and one Legislative Council seat, which are up for grabs in the June 11 elections. The legislative assembly will elect four Rajya Sabha and seven Legislative Council members and the existing strength of political parties will ensure victory of their candidates in three Rajya Sabha and six Legislative Council seats.

Union minister of state for commerce Nirmala Sitharaman from the BJP, Oscar Fernandes and Jairam Ramesh from the Congress face no threat in getting elected to the Rajya Sabha, with each allotted the required quantum of 45 votes by their parties. The Congress with 32 surplus votes, has also nominated former IPS officer K C Ramamurthy for the fourth seat, which is being contested by B M Farook, a real estate baron fielded by the JD(S) of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda. Amid off-the-record admissions of crores of rupees exchanging hands, the 14 independent legislators are being wooed by both to support their candidates.