ACTION PUNJAB NEWS Desk: In a significant blow to the BJP, Karnataka MLA ST Somashekar reportedly cross-voted in favour of the Congress during the Rajya Sabha elections, announced BJP chief whip Doddanagouda G. Patil on Tuesday. This move prompted Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to assert that such actions are unheard of within his party, taking a dig at the BJP’s internal cohesion.
Voting for four seats in the Upper House of Parliament from the state occurred today. Patil also mentioned that the party intends to take disciplinary action against Somashekar for his actions. He confirmed the cross-voting incident and stated that discussions are ongoing regarding the appropriate measures to be taken.
Before casting his vote, Somashekar made a suggestive statement, indicating that his vote would be influenced by assurances regarding funds for water and other development projects in his constituency.
Despite the setback, BJP MLA Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) downplayed the incident, attributing it to occasional occurrences. He reiterated the party’s directive to support BJP-JD(S) candidates. In response, Congress MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao criticised BJP’s tactics, emphasizing the party’s commitment to maintaining unity.
Five candidates contested for the Rajya Sabha seats, including Ajay Maken, Syed Naseer Hussain, and G C Chandrasekhar from Congress, Narayansa Bandage from BJP, and Kupendra Reddy from JD(S).
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Given the retirement of three Congress and one BJP MP in Karnataka, it is anticipated that the BJP will secure only one seat in the Congress-dominated state. To win a Rajya Sabha seat from Karnataka, a candidate needs a minimum of 45 votes from the 224-member Assembly. With 135 MLAs, Congress has the exact number required to elect its three candidates, while BJP, with 66 MLAs, can easily secure its primary candidate’s victory.
Meanwhile, reports have emerged of several Samajwadi Party MLAs in Uttar Pradesh cross-voting in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
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(Inputs from agencies)
