Nilekani says joining Congress, to contest LS polls

Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, whose net worth is estimated at over $1 billion, Friday ended speculation about his foray into politics, saying he is joining the Congress and ready to contest Lok Sabha polls if the party gives him a ticket.

"If Congress gives ticket, I will contest (Lok Sabha polls)," Nilekani, now head of the Unique Identification Authority of India, told reporters here.

He said the talks were on to decide from which constituency he can contest.

This is the first time that the 58-year-old technocrat confirmed his intention to join the Congress and contest election.

Late last month, Congress' Karnataka unit chief G. Parameshwara had revealed that Nilekani had met him and expressed desire to join the party and contest the Lok Sabha polls.

Speculation in Congress circles is that the party may field him from Bangalore South Lok Sabha constituency, now held by Bharatiya Janata Party's H. N. Ananth Kumar.

In October last year, Forbes magazine estimated Nilekani's worth at around $1.3 billion.