Karnataka MLC polls: Congress wins 5 seats as cross-voting jolts BJP, JDS

The ruling Congress party won five out of seven Legislative Council seats in Karnataka, while the opposition BJP secured two seats. The election results exposed cross-voting by BJP and JDS legislators in favour of Congress candidates. This development is viewed as a significant setback for the BJP-JDS coalition. Leaders from both opposition parties have vowed to take strict disciplinary action against the legislators involved in the cross-voting. The Karnataka BJP chief has sought an appointment with the national party president in Delhi to discuss the recent political developments and the voting discrepancies. Meanwhile, Congress representatives claim the cross-voting reflects a lack of confidence in the opposition leadership and serves as an endorsement of the ruling party. Opposition leaders acknowledged the cross-voting, noting that at least four JDS legislators and several BJP members voted for Congress candidates. They alleged that the cross-voting was influenced by external factors and dissatisfaction over constituency development.