BOMBAY, 16 June 2006 — Industrialist Rahul Bajaj, an independent candidate supported by the NCP, BJP and Shiv Sena was announced elected to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) from Bombay, defeating Congress candidate Avinash Pande. As expected, Bajaj won, securing 195 votes while Avinash Pande polled 90 votes. The seat had fallen vacant, following the death of BJP leader Pramod Mahajan last month. Bajaj said that he would serve the interests of the Indian industry and not only of the two-wheeler industry. “I have never asked for any favors in my life from either the government or the bureaucracy, and hence would not seek it now as a member of the Rajya Sabha,” Bajaj said.
