Bengaluru: Amidst heightened anticipation, the stage is set for the Rajya Sabha elections in Karnataka, with the ruling Congress and opposition BJP and JD-S vying for victory. Both camps are adamant about securing wins for their candidates.
Concerns over potential cross-voting prompted the Congress to convene a meeting of all MLAs at a private hotel, where they stayed overnight. Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar dismissed cross-voting fears, assuring mock voting sessions for legislators.
The recent demise of Surpur MLA Raja Venkatappa Naik has posed a challenge for the Congress, but they remain optimistic about garnering support from independent MLAs and others. BJP MLA S.T. Somashekar’s affiliations with Congress leaders add intrigue to the situation.
The Congress has fielded Ajay Maken, Syed Naseer Hussain, and G.C. Chandrashekhar, while the BJP and JD-S alliance nominated Narayansa Bandage and Kupendra Reddy.
The elections hold significance for the families of former PM H.D. Deve Gowda and former CM B.S. Yediyurappa. Police restrictions around Vidhana Soudha underscore the gravity of the situation, with voting scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and counting thereafter. The Congress holds 134 MLAs, while the BJP has 66 and JD-S 19, along with independents and others, making cross-voting a pivotal concern for both sides.
