In a significant setback for the NDA in Karnataka, the ruling Congress emerged as the biggest winner in the Legislative Council elections held on Thursday, securing victory in five of the seven seats that were up for grabs. The outcome was aided by extensive cross-voting within the opposition ranks, with reports suggesting that at least six BJP legislators and between four and eight JD(S) MLAs voted against their respective party lines.
The unexpected result has triggered concern within the BJP leadership, with the party's central command seeking an explanation for the apparent breakdown in voting discipline. According to reports, BJP national president Nitin Nabin has summoned Karnataka BJP chief B. Y. Vijayendra to discuss the circumstances that led to the cross-voting and the subsequent defeat of the NDA-backed candidate.
Also read: RG Kar: CBI summons former Kol police commissioner Vineet Goyal
Vijayendra acknowledged that cross-voting had indeed taken place among both BJP and JD(S) legislators and indicated that the party would take a strict view of the matter. "There is no question of forgiving the MLAs in our party who have cross-voted. They will not be forgiven. We also have some information on who might have played this game," he said.
The developments have once again exposed underlying tensions within the NDA alliance in Karnataka and raised questions about internal cohesion ahead of future political contests.
Cross-voting by at least 11 legislators from the BJP-JD(S) alliance played a crucial role in helping Congress secure an additional seat. The victory on the fifth seat has strengthened the ruling party's position and given it a majority in the 75-member Legislative Council. The Congress won five of the seven seats, while the BJP managed to secure the remaining two.
Congress winners:
• Thippannappa Kamknoor
• P. V. Mohan
• B. K. Hariprasad
• Shivanna B. S.
• Vinay Karthik Prakash
BJP winners:
• Lingaraj Patil
• Raghu R.
The biggest casualty of the cross-voting was JD(S) candidate Govindraju, who was contesting with the support of the BJP. With 18 MLAs in the Assembly, the JD(S) was expected to secure at least 18 first-preference votes before receiving additional support from BJP legislators. However, Govindraju received only 14 votes, suggesting that at least four JD(S) MLAs voted against the party's official candidate.
According to reports, the BJP had also earmarked three of its legislators to transfer votes to the JD(S) nominee. However, even those votes failed to materialise as expected, contributing to Govindraju's defeat and the Congress's surprise gain.
The elections were conducted to fill seven vacancies in the Upper House arising from the retirement of sitting members on June 30. Those completing their terms include Congress leaders Naseer Ahmed, Tippannappa Kamaknoor and B. K. Hariprasad; BJP members N. Nagaraju (MTB), Prathap Simha Nayak K. and Sunil Vallyapur; and JD(S) member Govindaraju.
The outcome has not only boosted Congress's strength in the Legislative Council but has also exposed vulnerabilities within the NDA alliance, with the scale of cross-voting likely to remain a subject of political debate in Karnataka in the coming weeks.
Follow us
