The forthcoming Rajya Sabha elections will see the Congress party do business with three regional outfits -- the Rashtriya Lok Dal led by Ajit Singh in Uttar Pradesh, former prime minister H D Devegowda’s Janata Dal(Secular) in Karnataka, and film star Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party in Andhra Pradesh.
Ajit Singh has already got a headstart. The Congress leadership has assured him that its 20 legislators in Uttar Pradesh will support Singh’s candidate Anuradha Chaudhary for the Rajya Sabha seat. Many see this act of benevolence on the part of the Congress as a long-term move aimed at keeping the Jat leader in good humour, keeping in mind the 2012 polls. However, Singh’s party has just 10 legislators, and even after Congress’ support, another 7 votes will be required to make Chaudhary the winner.
Meanwhile in Karnataka, Devegowda has sought the Congress party’s support for his candidate Danish Ali. His party has 28 legislators in a house of 224 and requires Congress support to win the seat. His argument is that his party has backed the Congress in the past. The ex-prime minister, however, is waiting for response from the Congress.
However, Chiranjeevi did get a call from Congress president Sonia Gandhi and also met her at her 10 Janpath residence on Saturday evening. With 18 legislators in a house 294, Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party can tilt the balance in favour of the Congress for a Rajya Sabha seat. He has promised the Congress president that he will respond over the next two days.
