Indian politics needs to be cleansed: Ananthamurthy

Bangalore, Mar 28 (UNI) Losing candidate in today's Rajya Sabha elections from Karnataka, Dr U R Ananthamurthy, today said he did not feel let down by the defeat as he had succeeded in raising the issue of the role of money power in the election process.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said raising the issue would create a new kind of thinking among the people of the country and pave way for changes in Indian politics.

''Indian politics is bereft of ideology and needs to be cleansed.'' Dr Ananthamurthy said he felt good about Congress president Sonia Gandhi giving her assent for supporting his candidature and former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah going against the party whip to vote for him.

Criticising the role of money power in the democratic process, he said he had succeeded in sending out a message to the legislators that it was important to see for whom they were voting.

Mr K Rahman Khan, who won a berth in the Upper House, thanked Ms Gandhi for having faith in him and re-nominating him. ''I will sincerely work for the development of the state,'' he added.

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