Liquor baron Vijay Mallya has dropped plans to contest the coming Rajya Sabha elections from Maharastra and seek re-election only from Karnataka.
"With elections to state assembly in Karnataka round the corner on the basis of re-drawn constituencies, I would like to contest again from Karnataka. I hope to represent Karnataka in Rajya Sabha," Mallya, Chairman of UB Group of Industries, told PTI in Bangalore.
Admitting that he had talks with Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackery on possibilities of his contesting from Maharashtra, the head of the Kingfisher Airlines said he did not get a good response as 'Sena is not fully in favour of non-Maharastrians'.
Mallya, who represented Karnataka in Rajya Sabha in the last six years, said he had espoused the cause of the state, putting more than 100 questions.
"I did not enter Rajya Sabha just to get elected. I have also done my duties as an elected representative," he said.
Explaining the reason behind his plans to contest from Maharashtra, he said since there were uncertainties over when the assembly elections in Karnataka will be held, he had opened a dialogue with Sena leaders.
With indications that Karnataka might go to polls probably by this May, Mallya has decided to try his electoral luck from his home turf.
Mallya's Rajya Sabha term is ending soon.
