Ruling Janata Dal (United) or JD (U) on Monday named Anil Hegde, who is from Karnataka, as its candidate for the by-poll to a vacant Bihar Rajya Sabha seat on May 30. Mahendra Prasad’s death in December necessitated the by-poll.
Hedge, a veteran socialist leader, was a close associate of late former defence minister George Fernandes. He is also JD (U)’s national election officer.
A JD (U) leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the announcement of Hegde’s nomination came as a surprise but it is a reward for a man working silently for the organisation and the party. “The party has recognised his contribution,” said the leader. He indicated that they were expecting the nominee to be from Bihar.