'Ballot' jolt for Congress: BJP-JD(S) sweeps all 4 Karnataka MLC seats

BENGALURU: The BJP-JD(S) NDA swept all four Karnataka Legislative Council seats in polls held through ballot papers, dealing a blow to governing Congress ahead of the 2028 assembly polls.DK Shivakumar, facing his first polls since taking over as chief minister, said Congress would take corrective measures in view of these results. "We respect the verdict. We had expected to win two seats, but that did not happen. The Bengaluru Teachers' result, particularly, was unexpected. We will review it. Although we lost, we secured a good number of votes," Shivakumar said.Opposition BJP mocked Shivakumar after the outcome as Congress has been demanding a switch from EVMs to ballot papers. "DK, it's done, bro! NDA sweeps all four Teachers' and Graduates' constituencies in the MLC elections," the party posted on X."MLC elections in 28 seats across 4 big states -- Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka. Elections held using ballot papers. Guess how many seats Congress won?" PM Modi said on X. It was an apparent taunt at Congress's continuing troubles and a rebuke to the opposition party's claim that BJP's successes are because of the EVMs and electoral rolls.19 ministers on poll job, Cong gets 0 The polls covered 19 districts, comprising nearly two-thirds of the state, including the home districts of former CM Siddaramaiah and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. JD(S) candidate AP Ranganath wrested Bengaluru Teachers' seat from Congress, defeating sitting MLC Puttanna by 908 votes, while BJP won the other three seats.In North East Teachers' seat, Shashil G Namoshi beat Sharanappa Mattur by 3,297 votes. In West Graduates' constituency, SV Sankanur posted a hat-trick of wins, beating Congress's Mohan Limbikai by 9,323, while in South East Graduates' seat, KM Suresh trounced Shashi Hulikuntemath by 23,098 votes.KPCC president BK Hariprasad, who was also facing his first test at the hustings since his appointment, said the party will conduct a comprehensive review of its organisational and political shortcomings.Multiple factors are said to have dealt a blow to Congress. According to party insiders, Shivakumar, despite himself being a master poll strategist, had assigned 19 ministers to oversee 133 assembly segments under the four constituencies that went to the polls, while he himself was busy with protests over SIR, Dasara preparations and his political trips to Delhi.The failure of ministers to deliver the goods is being seen by some political functionaries as a reflection of growing differences within the party since Shivakumar became CM. Teachers' resentment over govt's failure to restore the old pension scheme may have cost Congress both the teachers' seats.On the other hand, BJP and JD(S) showed better coordination this time around than in previous polls. In Bengaluru, BJP functionaries consolidated their party's votes behind Ranganath.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in BengaluruStay updated with the latest Bengaluru news. Download the TOI App.