Ex-Essel executive punts on seat at India’s Upper House of Parliament

The former chairman of multi-billion dollar business conglomerate Essel Group is eyeing to enter the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, local media outlets reported.

Dr. Subhash Chandra is reportedly planning to file his nomination for the parliament, locally known as Rajya Sabha, as an independent candidate from Haryana ahead of the elections on June 11, according to DNA India.

Chandra may be running independently, but media outlets said the man has the support of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and some other regional parties.

Chandra stepped down from his post as director and non-executive chairman of Zee Media last May 24. Zee Media is a company under Essel Group, which runs government operated lotteries in some Indian states under the Playwin brand name. Essel Group didn’t give a reason why Chandra resigned from his post.