What Happened At The Karnataka Congress CLP Meeting?

Last Updated:June 17, 2026, 12:21 IST

The upcoming MLC elections in Karnataka are a litmus test for Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who took charge as the CM of the state a fortnight ago.

The upcoming MLC elections in Karnataka are a litmus test for Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who took charge as the CM of the state a fortnight ago.

While the usual resort politics is being resorted to, what is important is to understand why this is a major test of Shivakumar’s organisational skills and control over the party, as he seeks to ensure that the Congress flock remains together at the private resort and votes in the manner prescribed by the party.

Sources tell News18 that many in the Congress view this as the first major political and organisational test for Shivakumar as CM, notwithstanding the fact that it is also a direct fight and a prestige battle.

The Council election has become a prestige battle between Shivakumar and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, whose political rivalry has often spilled beyond the political arena and onto the streets.

For the Congress leadership, this MLC election is about more than numbers. It is about demonstrating control, discipline and political management.

And for Shivakumar, party insiders say, it is the first real test of whether the organisational skills that made him indispensable to the Congress can now deliver results from the Chief Minister’s chair.

The question is simple: can DK Shivakumar, whose reputation has been built on his organisational skills and election management abilities, deliver the numbers and keep the flock together?

Sources indicate that the CLP meeting focused extensively on vote management, the allocation of first-preference votes, the management of second-preference votes and efforts to prevent any cross-voting.

The message from the state leadership and DKS is clear — every vote matters in what is turning out to be a tightly fought contest for the final seat, and there will be no tolerance for cross-voting.

There is another reason why the meeting matters.

Sources tell News18 that the pending cabinet expansion has effectively been put on hold because the leadership did not want to complicate the Council election by triggering fresh lobbying for ministerial berths. Several aspirants continue to wait for a cabinet berth, but the leadership’s immediate focus is on ensuring a smooth outcome in the MLC elections.

Insiders say a successful result in the Council polls would significantly strengthen Shivakumar’s hand in future discussions on cabinet expansion and the allocation of portfolios.

What happened at the CLP meeting? Here’s what sources told News18

Shivakumar alleged during the CLP meeting that the JD(S) had contacted Congress MLAs in an attempt to influence them and instigate cross-voting, sources told News18.

“Don’t fall prey to poaching. Stay united and vote," Shivakumar told Congress MLAs during the meeting, according to sources.

Shivakumar is learnt to have told the meeting that several Congress legislators had received calls from the JD(S). He also specifically mentioned that Molakalmuru MLA N.Y. Gopalkrishna had received such a call.

“All MLAs were requested to remain united and vote only in favour of the Congress candidates," Shivakumar told the legislators, according to sources.

He said that although several members had received calls from the JD(S), this was the time for Congress legislators to stand together and vote as one.

Shivakumar also cited his relationship with Siddaramaiah as an example of unity within the Congress. He told the legislators that the manner in which he and Siddaramaiah had remained united should serve as an example for all party members.

According to sources, Shivakumar said the transfer of power between Siddaramaiah and himself demonstrated the unity and teamwork within the Congress leadership.

He also told the meeting that regardless of the Opposition’s attempts to instigate or divide them, Congress legislators should remain united as a solid group.

Congress MLAs are also being trained on how to vote under the single transferable vote (STV) system.

It is learnt that the Congress leadership has worked out a detailed vote-allocation plan. Sources indicate that 28 votes each are expected to be allocated to four Congress candidates, while KPCC Working President B.K. Hariprasad is expected to receive 29 votes.

The training sessions are aimed at ensuring that every MLA understands the voting process and follows the party’s strategy without deviation.

The Congress is confident of winning four seats, while the BJP-JDS alliance is expected to comfortably secure two seats. The real battle is over the seventh seat.

The Congress has fielded a fifth candidate, while the BJP-JDS alliance has fielded a third candidate. This is where the contest becomes politically significant.

Sources say the Congress leadership is particularly focused on ensuring that second-preference votes do not end up benefiting the JDS-backed candidate. While the party is publicly projecting confidence, there are concerns within sections of the leadership about the possibility of cross-voting.

This, sources say, is where Shivakumar’s organisational abilities will face their biggest test. The challenge is not merely to secure the required numbers but also to ensure that the flock remains together and votes exactly as instructed.

The biennial elections to seven Karnataka Legislative Council seats from the MLAs’ quota will be held on June 18.

With eight candidates in the fray for seven seats, the election is expected to be closely contested, making vote management and cross-voting critical factors.

Under the single transferable vote system, each candidate requires around 28-29 first-preference votes, depending on the final number of valid votes cast. With 134 MLAs, the Congress has the numbers to comfortably secure four seats and is expected to have surplus votes that could influence the outcome of the contest for the additional seat.

The Congress’s arithmetic is also being closely watched. The votes are being cast by secret ballot.

The party’s strength has come down to 134 following the death of Minister and MLA D. Sudhakar. Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni is also currently in prison, adding another layer of complexity to the calculations.

Independent MLAs Latha Mallikarjun and Darshan Puttannaiah are expected to support the Congress.

Interestingly, former minister and BJP MLA G. Janardhana Reddy was among the first leaders to publicly state that D.K. Shivakumar would become Chief Minister, even before the Congress leadership had formally discussed and announced a leadership transition.

Meanwhile, expelled BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal is expected to vote with the JDS, according to insider sources.

Sources indicate that the Congress leadership is also expected to assess the position of every MLA and examine possible voting patterns. Particular attention is likely to be paid to legislators who have taken independent positions in the past, including former minister K.N. Rajanna, who was dropped from the state cabinet.

The BJP, with 63 MLAs, is expected to comfortably secure two seats. The fight for the remaining seat is likely to be between the Congress’s fifth candidate and the BJP-JDS alliance’s additional nominee.

The elections are being held as seven MLCs elected by the Legislative Assembly retire on June 30. They include Govindaraju, Naseer Ahmed, Thippannappa and B.K. Hariprasad from the Congress, and M.T.B. Nagaraj, Prathap Simha Nayak and Sunil Vallyapur from the BJP.

At present, the Congress has 37 members in the 75-member Legislative Council, followed by the BJP with 29 and the JDS with seven. The ruling party is hoping to improve its tally in the Upper House through these elections.

About the Author

Rohini Swamy

Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously wor...Read More

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