Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 06: Former Union Minister and Congress leader P J Kurien was elected to the Rajya Sabha defeating CPI candidate C Divakaran in the by-poll held here today.
Kurien, candidate of Congress-led United Democratic Front secured 95 votes out of the total 132 votes polled. Four members from both UDF and LDF did not vote due to various reasons.
Kurien's victory was certain going by the strength of UDF with 99 members and LDF 41 in the 140-member house.
The by-poll was necessitated following the death of CPI leader V V Raghavan. Kurien's term will end in June 2006.
The voting pattern showed that there was no cross voting during the poll.
UDF MLAs, who did not vote, were mercy Ravi, Prayar Gopalakrishnan, T N Prathapan and Kallathil Abdulla while Chenthamarakshan, A K Balan, Girija Surendran, V K Chandran were the absent LDF MLAs.
Talking to reporters after the election result was announced, Kurien said he would try to utilize his new position to work for the people of the state.
Bureau Report
