Karnataka
The Congress fielded Ajay Maken, Syed Naseer Hussain, and GC Chandrasekhar, who emerged as winners after securing 47, 47, and 45 votes, respectively. From the BJP, Narayansa Bandage won the lone seat for the saffron party.
BJP MLA ST Somashekar voted for Congress candidate Ajay Maken, while another MLA Arbail Shivaram Hebbar abstained from voting. JDS’ D Kupendra Reddy was also in the fray.
The BJP fielded one candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections. It has 66 MLAs in the Karnataka Assembly while the JDS has 19 MLAs. The Congress, which had fielded three candidates, has 135 MLAs in the assembly.
“Pakistan Zindabad”
Soon after the Congress’s win, some local news channels reported that “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans were raised by supporters of re-elected Congress MP Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain. Within no time, the news reports spread widely over social media by BJP leaders. On closely examining the slogans, it was found that “Nasir Saab Zindabad” was what was shouted.
The state assembly session was adjourned on Wednesday after BJP MLAs repeatedly protested and raised slogans against Hussain and the Congress party.
“Frustrated and demoralized by their resounding defeat in the Rajya Sabha elections in Karnataka, BJP leaders are peddling their favorite set of lowly lies about Pakistan Zindabad slogans being raised by supporters of Congress MPs,” Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala wrote on X, refuting the BJP’s claims while posting a video of the alleged incident.
One Absent, the other cross-voted
Shivaram claimed that he couldn’t vote because of illness. Earlier, the BJP had decided to take action against the MLA; however, they later announced his absence due to illness. “I could have gone there and cross-voted or even skipped. I’m not afraid of anybody,” Shivaram said. “It’s not because I’m angry that I didn’t vote. I’m unhappy with the leaders of my district but not with the state or the central leader,” he further added.
According to BJP chief whip Doddanagouda G. Patil of Karnataka, MLA ST Somashekar cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections in favor of the Congress. In response to the significant setback for the BJP, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said cross-voting isn’t possible in his party. “Let them keep their (BJP’s) MLAs intact. Cross-voting is only possible in the BJP, not in Congress,” he said.
Meanwhile, Doddanagouda G. Patil said the party will take action against the MLA. “It is confirmed that ST Somashekar has cross-voted. We are discussing what can be done and what action to take,” he said.
Before casting the vote, Somashekhar made a cryptic remark. “I will vote in favor of those who assure me and give confidence that they will provide funds for water and other management in my constituency,” he said.
