Cross-voting from JDS, BJP helps Congress win five of seven legislative council seats in Karnataka

“I received more votes than expected. I was expecting 28, including second preference votes. I got 32,” he told reporters following the polls. Each candidate had to secure a minimum of 27.63 first preference votes from MLAs to win the polls. In case of a tie, second preference votes are counted.

Among the winning candidates include Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president B K Hariprasad, who returned to the Karnataka Legislative Council for a second term with 30 first preference votes. Tippannappa Kamaknoor, who is also elected for a second term with 30 votes; P V Mohan with 29 and Shivanna Malavalli with 30 votes are the other winning candidates from Congress.

JD(S) expectations of getting excess votes from BJP had fallen flat, as BJP decided to cast 30 first preference votes for each of its candidates — two more than the minimum threshold. However, in another twist, a few BJP MLAs appear to have also cross-voted as one of its candidates Lingaraj Patil secured only 27 first preference votes. However, was declared winner in the elimination round.

Patil said that he had not expected cross-voting during the polls. “Party leaders will take note of it and take a call. We will know who cross-voted,” he said.

Another winning BJP candidate Raghu Kautilya got 29 first preference votes, one less than expected fuelling concerns over cross-voting in the saffron party. According to him, one vote cast to him was invalidated.

AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, told a news conference that all five Congress candidates won in the first round.