Rahul Bajaj is independent candidate backed by Sena-BJP

Mumbai, June 5 (UNI) Mahrashtra BJP today said noted industrialist Rahul Bajaj was the independent candidate for the June 15 Rajya Sabha by-election, supported by Shiv Sena and BJP.

Talking to reporters at Vidhan Bhavan, BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde said the first preference quota of votes for the by-election was 145 and Sena-BJP had a strength of 115.

''We were looking for a candidate who would manage to get excess votes in order to win the by-election. Considering Mr Bajaj's stature and his family's contribution to the growth and development of the country, we are confident that he will win the election,'' Mr Tawde said.

Mr Tawde added that the BJP has not spoken to the NCP in this regard. Mr Bajaj as a candidate can contact the other party.

When asked about the political significance of the coming together of Shiv-BJP and NCP for this by-election, Mr Tawde replied, ''It is pre-mature to speak on this.'' Meanwhile, State Congress President Prabha Rau refused to comment on Mr Bajaj's candidature stating that NCP has not coveyed its official decision in this regard. ''They are our allies and we assume that they will support us,'' she said adding, ''when Sanjay Nirupam's Rajya Sabha seat fell vacant after he resigned from the Shiv-Sena and joined the Congress, the Congress conceded the seat to the NCP because they had more number and we expect a similar stand from them in the present situation.'' UNI MR KU VA HS1205