Industrialist BM Farooq likely to get Rajya Sabha ticket from JD(S)

Mangaluru, May 24: Even though the Janata Dal (Secular) is yet to announce its candidate for the looming Rajya Sabha polls, the name of industrialist BM Farooq is doing rounds for the sole seat the party can win on its own.

Mr Farooq, who holds an Engineering degree, is a well-known businessman and real-estate tycoon in Bengaluru and Mangaluru. He is a brother of Mangaluru North MLA Mohiuddin Bava. He is also the president of Bengaluru based Bearys' Welfare Association.

Biennial elections to 57 Rajya Sabha seats including four in Karnataka is expected to take place on June 11. This includes the seat vacated by liquor baron Vijay Mallya.

The BJP has already chosen Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu once again as its candidate from Karnataka.The ruling Congress in the State is undecided on the two candidates it can send to the Upper House with the names of former Union ministers P Chidambaram and Oscar Fernandes doing the rounds for the polls.

The fourth seat is up for grabs with JD (S), which has 40 members in the Assembly, hoping to put up an Independent and win with the support of other parties.

The JD(S) Legislature Party will formally meet in Bengaluru on May 26 to select the candidate. Party state president HD Kumaraswamy said they will field a personality from Karnataka but did not reveal if the candidate would be an industrialist.

Meanwhile, Mr Farooq has expressed his willingness to enter the parliament and also expressed hope that JD(S) would give him an opportunity to serve the people.