Democratic right-to-vote in Karnataka-polls, but can't travel to India: Mallya
What's the story
Liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya, who had represented Karnataka twice in Rajya Sabha, today said it was his democratic right to vote in state assembly polls, but lamented that he cannot travel to India. He said this outside Westminster Magistrate's court where a court hearing in connection with his extradition trial to India was ongoing. Mallya is facing charges of money laundering worth Rs. 9,000cr.
Rajya Sabha member
Mallya represented Karnataka twice as Rajya Sabha member
The 62-year-old former businessman-parliamentarian first represented Karnataka as the member of Upper House of Parliament between April 10, 2002, and April 9, 2008. He was re-elected for the Rajya Sabha from the southern state on July 1, 2010; he resigned on May 5, 2016, before his the expiry of his term on June 30, 2016. He is in the UK since March 2016.
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Not following Indian politics closely: Mallya
When asked about his opinion on the Karnataka polls, Mallya said: "I haven't been following the politics so closely, so I have no opinion (on the polls)." The election for 224-member Karnataka Legislative Assembly is scheduled to be held across the state on May 12.