Key Facts
The Karnataka MLC elections were held on June 18, 2026, at the Karnataka Vidhana Soudha, with eight candidates in the fray for the seven MLC seats.
The Congress party won five seats, while the BJP bagged two.
Details
The polls were held as the terms of seven MLCs were set to expire upon their retirement on June 30.
According to sources, three BJP and eight JD(S) MLAs allegedly cross-voted in this election, and one BJP MLA's vote was declared invalid.
Impact
The Congress's win in the election is seen as a morale booster for new CM DK Shivakumar and the party's new State President B K Hariprasad.
The party's success in garnering more votes than expected, especially from other parties, while keeping its own tally intact amid fears of internal cross-voting, reflects their leadership and organisational skills.
For the BJP, the cross-voting seems to have come as a 'surprise' and is seen as a major setback amid factional rifts within the party and discontent over the state leadership.
What You Should Know
The results of the Karnataka MLC elections have brought to light cross-voting by BJP and JD(S) legislators in favour of Congress candidates.
The Congress party's success in the elections is seen as a reflection of their leadership and organisational skills.
The BJP's cross-voting seems to have come as a surprise and is seen as a major setback for the party.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com