BJP Triumphs in Karnataka Legislative Council Elections, Congress Faces Defeat
BJP Secures All Seats in Karnataka Legislative Council
Photo: IANS
Bengaluru, Oct 28: The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has successfully captured all four seats in the Karnataka Legislative Council, delivering a significant blow to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and marking a disappointing outcome for the Congress party.
The ruling Congress party failed to secure any seats in the recent MLC elections, while the BJP claimed three seats, and the Janata Dal (Secular) managed to win one.
The BJP's victories included the North-East Teachers', South-East Graduates', and West Graduates' constituencies, while its ally, JD(S), won the Bengaluru Teachers' constituency.
In the South-East Graduates' seat, BJP's KM Suresh triumphed over Congress's Shashi Hulikunte Mutt; in the North-East Teachers' seat, BJP MLC Shashil G. Namoshi defeated Congress candidate Sharanappa Mattur; and in the West Graduates' constituency, BJP's SV Sankanur emerged victorious against Congress's Mohan Limbikai.
From the Bengaluru Teachers' constituency, JD(S) candidate A P Ranganath defeated the five-time winner Puttanna.
Commenting on the results, BJP MLC Lingaraj Patil stated, "The election outcomes in Karnataka reflect the public's discontent with the Congress government... Voters have turned away from Congress due to allegations of corruption, irregularities, and unmet promises."
He also noted that internal conflicts within Congress have negatively impacted the party's performance.
"The public is not swayed by Congress's opposition to SIR, PM Narendra Modi, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar... Trust in PM Modi and the BJP remains strong among the people," he added.
This election marked the first for the Karnataka Congress under the leadership of President B.K. Hariprasad, who is also an MLC. The current composition of the 75-member Legislative Council includes five vacant seats, with 38 members from Congress, 24 from BJP, six from JD(S), one independent, and a chairman.
The MLC elections took place on October 23, accompanied by extensive security measures to ensure a peaceful and fair voting process. However, tensions flared between Congress and BJP supporters near a polling station at Ambedkar College in Nagarabhavi during the voting for the Bengaluru Teachers' constituency.
Former corporator Mohan Kumar faced accusations of verbally assaulting individuals, prompting police intervention and the establishment of barricades to restore order.