Karnataka RS polls: Cong wins 3, BJP one after cross-voting

Congress won three Rajya Sabha seats in Karnataka, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to secure only one seat after one of its MLAs cross-voted in favour of the ruling party in the state. Voting for four seats from the state for the Upper House of Parliament took place on Tuesday. Congress candidates Ajay Maken, Nasser Hussain and GC Chandrashekar emerged victorious after securing 47, 46 and 46 votes, respectively, and will now represent the party in Rajya Sabha.
From the BJP, Narayana Bandige was elected to the Upper House.Earlier,the BJP suffered a massive setback in the southern state with its MLA ST Somashekar voting for Congress candidate Ajay Maken, while another MLA Arbail Shivaram Hebbar abstaining from voting.The BJP suffered a massive setback in the southern state with its MLA ST Somashekar voting for Congress candidate Ajay Maken, while another MLA Arbail Shivaram Hebbar abstaining from voting.. BJP MLA ST Somashekar has cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections in favour of the Congress, said BJP chief whip Doddanagouda G. Patil on Tuesday. Taking a swipe at the BJP, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said cross-voting isn't possible in his party. “Let them keep their (BJP's) MLAs intact. Cross-voting is only possible in the BJP, not in Congress,” he said.On cross-votes in Rajya Sabha elections, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, "I have not seen it.

#WATCH | On cross-votes in Rajya Sabha elections, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, "I have not seen it. It is a secret ballot vote. In the state, this alliance cannot go well. BJP had 65 votes or something, they could have got 45 and their candidate elected. They have… pic.twitter.com/pb8oDfjicF

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2024

In Karnataka, there are four Rajya Sabha seats and five candidates in the fray. The candidature of JD(S) leader and real estate baron D Kupendra Reddy has made a contest inevitable for the fourth seat.Doddanagouda G. Patil said the party will take action against the MLA."It is confirmed that ST Somashekar has cross-voted. We are discussing what can be done and what action to be taken," he said. ST Somashekar, before casting his vote, made a mysterious remark."I will vote in favour of those who assure me and give confidence that they will give funds for the water and other management in my constituency," he said.
Five candidates -- Ajay Maken, Syed Naseer Hussain and G C Chandrasekhar (all Congress), Narayansa Bandage (BJP) and Kupendra Reddy (JD(S)) -- are in the fray. Three Congress and one BJP MP are retiring in Karnataka. It is expected that the BJP will again win just one seat in the state. Each Rajya Sabha candidate needs at least 45 votes in the 224-MLA Karnataka Assembly to win a Rajya Sabha seat from the state. With 135 MLAs, the Congress has the exact number to elect its three candidates – Ajay Maken, Nasir Hussain and G C Chandrashekhar. The BJP has 66 MLAs, which means it can easily get its main candidate, party worker Narayansa Bhandage, elected.

(Dr Mysi Patil, State Correspondent)