Date:06/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/06/06/stories/2006060603400900.htm

Back Rahul Bajaj files nomination for RS seat

Our Bureau

Congress names Avinash Pandey

THE BAJAJ AUTO Ltd Chairman, Mr Rahul Bajaj, filing the nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections in Mumbai on Monday. On his right is the BJP leader, Mr Gopinath Munde — Vivek Bendre

Mumbai , June 5

Industrialist Mr Rahul Bajaj on Monday filed his nomination as an independent candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha bye-election to fill the vacancy caused by Mr Pramod Mahajan's demise.

The election is scheduled for June 15. Mr Bajaj's nomination was supported by NCP, BJP and Shiv Sena. The industrialist, who is Chairman of Bajaj Auto Ltd (BAL), has been reportedly close to NCP leader and strongman of Maharashtra politics, Mr Sharad Pawar.

According to news reports, the Congress would be fielding PCC General Secretary, Mr Avinash Pandey, for the same seat. The two candidatures were seen to betray the growing rift between the Congress and NCP, the political combine that rules the State. An equation rendered ambiguous by the BJP-Shiv Sena support for Mr Bajaj's nomination.

When contacted, Mr Bajaj agreed that the parties supporting him don't support each other but said, their support was for "an independent.'' "I am not going to say what this party or that party wants me to say,'' he said. More importantly, he added that his stepping into a Rajya Sabha bye-election had more to do with it being an extension of his life in public affairs than a career as politician.

Asked if filling the vacancy caused by the demise of a full-time politician like Mr Mahajan could mean adieu to his role as industrialist, Mr Bajaj said, "Out of the question. I have not joined politics.'' He also maintained that given the applicability of the office of profit clause to those holding posts under the State and central governments, a private industrialist like him wouldn't be required to stop being chairman of his company.

Mr Bajaj has been Chairman of BAL since 1972. His cousin Mr Madhur Bajaj is at present Vice-Chairman, while sons Rajeev and Sanjiv are Managing Director and Executive Director, respectively.