Billioinaire Ron Burkle’s attempt to remove founder Len Riggio’s allies from the Barnes & Noble board of directors and amend the company’s poison pill (see “Proxy Fight at Barnes & Noble”) were defeated as the result of a proxy vote announced at Tuesday’s annual shareholder’s meeting.  But Burkle’s war with Riggio over the fate of the country’s largest bookseller will continue, with Burkle issuing a statement Tuesday urging that the efforts to sell the company be carried out in a way that’s “fair and non-discriminatory.” 

There are currently around 20 entities interested in acquiring Barnes & Noble, according to the New York Times.  Both Riggio and Burkle have been seen as potential acquirers. 

The statement from Burkle’s Yucaipa Companies also pointed to a number of Barnes & Noble steps that it said were the result of its pressure on the company during the proxy fight, including “the removal of Stephen Riggio as CEO, the replacement of two conflicted directors with two independent directors, commencement of a  review of strategic alternatives, and fresh discussions with potential technology partners.”