The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) central leadership has taken serious note of the reported cross-voting during the Karnataka Legislative Council elections and has initiated a strict response.
Party national president Nitin Nabin has expressed strong displeasure over the development and summoned senior Karnataka BJP leaders to Delhi for a detailed review.
According to PTI, BJP state president BY Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition R Ashok, and state in-charge Radhamohan Das Koko have been directed to appear in Delhi on June 23. The leadership will seek explanations and hold discussions over the alleged cross-voting within the party ranks.
BJP-JD(S) Face Setback in Council Elections
This was the first election in Karnataka since the new government led by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar took office. In Thursday’s elections for seven Legislative Council seats, the ruling Congress performed resoundingly, winning five, while the opposition BJP had to settle for just two. Meanwhile, the BJP’s ally, the JD(S), failed to even open its account.
The cross-voting that marred the polls showed some NDA MLAs had even come out in support of the Congress candidates. According to sources, Congress garnered 151 votes, 11 more than anticipated.
Election Outcome Details
A total of eight candidates contested for seven seats in the Vidhana Soudha, with voting held among MLAs and counting completed the same day.
-Congress winners: Thippannappa Kamkanur, PV Mohan, BK Hariprasad (KPCC president), BS Shivanna, Vinay Karthik Prakash
-BJP winners: Lingaraj Patil, Raghu R
-JD(S): Its lone candidate, Govindaraju, lost decisively
According to preliminary information, three BJP and eight JD(S) MLAs are believed to have cross-voted in this election. Furthermore, the vote of one BJP MLA was declared invalid.
Party Response and Action Plan
Senior BJP leader R Ashoka acknowledged the issue and stated that the party would identify those responsible for betraying the organisation and take strict disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP state president BY Vijayendra, reacting to this major upset, said, “Both JDS as well as Bharatiya Janata Party, we both discussed and decided to field a third candidate during the MLC election. We wanted to give a serious attempt in this election, but unfortunately, even though the BJP managed to win two seats, there was cross-voting within the BJP also, and there was cross-voting in the JDS party also, so it’s a very serious matter. I have already sought an appointment with our National President. I will be meeting him today or by next week, and I will appraise the situation, and we are still trying to assess who those MLAs are who cross-voted or who voted against the whip.”