Seven seats for nominated MPs in the Rajya Sabha are vacant. In this, MPs for four seats were announced yesterday.
Music composer Ilayaraja, 79, from Tamil Nadu, former runner PT Usha, 58, from Kerala, father of Telugu film director Rajamouli and screenwriter Vijayendra Prasad, 80, from Andhra have been given the post of nominated MP.
Virendra Hegde, 73, an administrator of Dharmasthala temple in Karnataka and a social worker, has also been given the post of nominated MP.
In this regard, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement:
Music composer Ilayaraja has been attracting fans across generations with his musical prowess. His beautiful music expresses various emotions beautifully. Coming from a very humble background, his life journey to reach a great place today can be an inspiration to many people. I am happy that he has been elected as Rajya Sabha MP.
He mentioned thus. Actor Rajini also congratulated Ilayaraja.
Focus on southern states
All the four nomination MP posts announced yesterday have been given to people from southern states, political sources said, indicating that the full focus of the BJP top brass has shifted to these states.