Karnataka MLA ST Somashekar crossed-voted for the Congress in the Rajya Sabha elections, according to BJP chief whip Doddanagouda G. Patil on Tuesday. Today, voters chose four seats from the state for the Upper House of Parliament. BJP chief whip Doddanagouda G. Patil stated that the party will take action against the MLA.
On cross-voting in Rajya Sabha elections, BJP Chief Whip in Karnataka Assembly, Doddanagouda G. Patil stated: "It is confirmed that ST Somashekar has cross-voted. We are discussing what can be done and what action to be taken."
Earlier, while making a cryptic remark ahead of the RS polls, ST Somashekar stated: "I will vote in favour of those who assure me and give confidence that they will give funds for the water and other management in my constituency."
After Somashekar cross-voting for Congress, BJP MLA Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) said: "Sometimes such things happen. The party had given clear direction to vote for BJP-JD(S) candidates."
Meanwhile, Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao said: "We all are intact. For the BJP, it has become a practice to use any method to win."
Five candidates are running for the Rajya Sabha elections in Karnataka: Ajay Maken, Syed Naseer Hussain, and G C Chandrasekhar (all from the Congress), Narayansa Bandage (BJP), and Kupendra Reddy (JD(S)).
Three Congress and one BJP MP are retiring in Karnataka. It is projected that the BJP would win only one seat in the Congress-controlled state.
To gain a Rajya Sabha seat from Karnataka, each Rajya Sabha candidate must receive at least 45 votes from the state's 224 MLAs. The Congress has 135 MLAs, which is the exact amount needed to elect its three candidates, Ajay Maken, Nasir Hussain, and G C Chandrashekhar.