Entrepreneur BM Farookh files nomination for RS poll, hopeful of Congress support

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Bengaluru, March 10, 2018: Mangaluru-based billionaire entrepreneur B M Farooq entered the Rajya Sabha polls as JD (S) nominee, filed his nomination papers for polls to the House of Elders, scheduled for March 23.  Mr Farooq, whose candidature was supported by state Dal (S) president, H D Kumaraswamy, all JD(S) MLAs from Hassan district, Mr Madhu Bangarappa and others, submitted three sets of nomination papers to Legislative Assembly Secretary Mr Murthy on Friday, March 9th.

Farookh is the younger brother of Congress MLA from Mangalore North B A Mohiuddin Bava. Mr Farookh is known as the "money bag" of JD(S), has total assets worth a whopping Rs 778 crores, including those owned by his wife.

Speaking to reporters after filing the nomination, Mr Farooq told the media that he had contacted all independent legislators, and was confident of a victory. On the possibility of cross voting, he said he was not aware of it. “I have filed papers as per the instruction of senior leaders of our party. The election proceedings will be monitored by former prime minister Mr Deve Gowda,” he added.

In 2016, Mr Farooq lost to retired IPS officer K C Ramamurthy, with seven JD(S) members voting for the latter in defiance of the party diktat.