BJP Faces Major Blow as Karnataka MLA Cross-Votes for Congress in Rajya Sabha Elections
Doddanagouda G. Patil mentioned that the party will initiate disciplinary action against the MLA.
In Bengaluru, BJP chief whip Doddanagouda G. Patil announced on Tuesday that Karnataka MLA ST Somashekar has voted in favor of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha elections. The voting for four seats from the state for the Upper House of Parliament occurred today.
Doddanagouda G. Patil, the BJP chief whip, stated that the party will initiate disciplinary measures against the MLA.
“It has been verified that ST Somashekar has engaged in cross-voting. We are deliberating on appropriate measures and determining the course of action,” he remarked.
ST Somashekar, before casting his vote, made a cryptic remark.
“I intend to cast my vote in support of those who can provide assurances and instill confidence in allocating funds for water and other developmental needs in my constituency,” he stated.
The BJP put a brave face after Somashekhar’s decision.
BJP MLA Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) remarked, “Occasionally, such incidents occur. The party had provided explicit instructions to vote for BJP-JD(S) candidates.”
In response to the reports, Congress MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao commented, “Our unity remains unwavering. For the BJP, it has become customary to employ any means to secure victory.”
There are five candidates vying for the position: Ajay Maken, Syed Naseer Hussain, and G C Chandrasekhar from the Congress, Narayansa Bandage from the BJP, and Kupendra Reddy from the JD(S).
In Karnataka, three Congress MPs and one BJP MP are set to retire. It is anticipated that, once again, the BJP will secure only one seat in the state governed by the Congress.
To secure a Rajya Sabha seat from Karnataka, each candidate must garner a minimum of 45 votes in the 224-member Karnataka Assembly. With 135 MLAs, the Congress possesses precisely enough votes to ensure the election of its three candidates – Ajay Maken, Nasir Hussain, and G C Chandrashekhar.
With 66 MLAs, the BJP has sufficient numbers to effortlessly secure the election of its primary candidate, party worker Narayansa Bhandage.
Reportedly, numerous Samajwadi Party MLAs in Uttar Pradesh have engaged in cross-voting for the Bharatiya Janata Party.
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