BENGALURU: In a stunning flip of occasions, BJP MLA ST Somashekar from Karnataka on Monday cross-voted in favour of the Congress throughout the ongoing Rajya Sabha elections for 4 seats on Tuesday, dealing a major blow to the Bharatiya Janata Pa
BJP Warns Of Strict Action
Confirming the cross-vote, BJP Chief Whip within the state Assembly, Doddanagouda G Patil, expressed concern and introduced that the celebration would totally examine the matter. He emphasised that strict motion could be taken towards ST Somashekar for this sudden transfer. “It is confirmed that ST Somashekar has cross-voted. We are discussing what can be done and what action to be taken,” he stated.
Somashekar’s Prior Statements
Before casting his vote, ST Somashekar instructed reporters, “I will vote in favour of those who assure me and provide confidence that they will allocate funds for water and other management in my constituency.”
Candidates In The Fray
Five candidates are contesting for the 4 seats within the Rajya Sabha elections: Ajay Maken, Syed Naseer Hussain, and G C Chandrasekhar from Congress, Narayansa Bandage from BJP, and Kupendra Reddy from JD(S).
Political Dynamics
In Karnataka, three Congress MPs and one BJP MP are retiring, and the result will preserve this stability. With Congress having 135 MLAs and BJP having 66 MLAs, each events appear assured in securing their respective seats.
Vote Calculation And Scenario
Each Rajya Sabha candidate requires no less than 45 votes within the 224-MLA Karnataka Assembly. Congress, with its precise majority, is assured of three seats, whereas BJP can comfortably safe one. The BJP-JD(S) second candidate, Kupendra Reddy, would want assist from three Independents and no less than three Congress MLAs to win.
Congress leaders, together with Karnataka minister Ramalinga Reddy and MLA Rizwan Arshad, exuded confidence in successful with none cross-voting. Ramalinga Reddy stated, ”All our three candidates will by clear majority. There will probably be no cross-voting. 3 Congress and 1 BJP candidate will probably be there. We have a transparent majority. I do not know what Janardhana Reddy will do, he would possibly assist Congress.”
On the BJP aspect, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi expressed optimism, stating, “We are very confident and hopeful. At this moment, I can only say that we are optimistic and confident. Whatever is needed, will be done…”
Implications For BJP
The cross-vote by ST Somashekar has put the BJP in a difficult place, and the celebration might want to strategize to mitigate the affect of this sudden growth. This sudden twist within the Rajya Sabha polls has added a brand new layer of complexity to the political dynamics in Karnataka, setting the stage for intense deliberations inside the BJP and potential shifts in alliances.
