In a dramatic twist, BJP’s disgruntled Yesvanthapura MLA ST Somashekar has reportedly cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha polls.
MLA ST Somashekar voting for Rajya Sabha polls. (Supplied)
Amid the voting taking place at Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru, on Tuesday, 27 February, for four Rajya Sabha seats of Karnataka, there have been reports of cross-voting.
In a state where there are enough votes only to elect four MPs, the BJP-JDS combine has fielded a fifth, turning it into an election of preferential voting. The move has taken Karnataka’s politics back to the herding of MLAs in resorts and allegations of horse-trading.
Among those eligible to vote, Congress has 133 MLAs, the BJP has 66, and JD(S) has 19, while others, including independents, account for four. One more is the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
In a dramatic twist BJP’s disgruntled Yesvanthapura MLA ST Somashekar has reportedly cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha polls. The cross-voting was confirmed when a fuming BJP whip said disciplinary action will be initiated against Somashekar.
The polling which began at 9 am, saw 50 percent turnout till 11 am, while by 1 pm, the voting percentage increased to 96 percent with 214 of 223 voters having cast their vote.
While the NDA alliance – BJP and JD(S) – were expressing confidence in winning the Rajya Sabha polls, ST Somashekar cross-voting shocked several saffron cadre leaders including opposition leader R Ashoka.
After exercising his franchise, ST Somashekar told reporters on Tuesday: “I have cast my conscience vote in the elections. I have voted for those who assured me of providing grants for the development works of my constituency.”
However, he did not take any questions further and left the Vidhana Soudha soon after taking part in the polling process. Somashekar was recently seen with KPCC President and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
According to sources, “BJP’s chief whip and MLA Doddanagouda Patil reportedly tried to give whip to Somashekhar before polling. However, Patil was not able to do so as the Yesvanthapura MLA left for polling even before the chief whip reached the entrance of the polling station.”
It may be noted that after the 2023 Karnataka Assembly polls, ST Somashekar has remained disgruntled over a section of leaders within the cadre. He has publicly expressed his unhappiness with the state party unit for not addressing and ignoring his concerns.
Even in the recently concluded Bangalore Teachers’ Constituency by-polls, Somashekhar campaigned for the ruling party candidate Puttanna, who defeated NDA alliance nominee AP Ranganath by a margin of 1,507 votes.
Taking an exception to MLA ST Somashekar’s reported cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha Polls, JD(S) state chief and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy came down heavily on the Yesvanthapura MLA.
Expressing his discontent over BJP MLA ST Somashekar, Kumaraswamy told reporters at Vidhana Soudha: “Yesvanthapura MLA ST Somashekar has served as the cabinet minister for three years during the BJP’s tenure.”
“Even while switching to the BJP, he had blamed the Congress for not providing the grants for the development works for his segment.”
“When he was the cabinet minister in the BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai governments, he took benefits of all the programmes. He has developed himself instead of his constituency,” fumed Kumaraswamy on the Yesvanthapura MLA.
On chances for Kupendra Reddy’s victory, he said: “I am keenly observing the statements of the Congress leaders. What they are alleging that (we) lured and threatened, it is the culture of the grand old party. Those who are making such statements have come from the same background.”
He further added: “Since the day this government has come to power, they are frequently claiming that around 12 to 13 JD(S) MLAs are ready to pledge allegiance to the Congress. There were attempts to lure our party MLAs, promising grants for the development works.”
“They were frequently approaching our MLAs to ascertain their decision to join the Congress. In order to prove how much they have succeeded in their attempt and display unity among the 19 JD(S) MLAs, we have fielded Kupendra Reddy,” the former CM clarified the party’s intention on fielding fifth candidate in Rajya Sabha polls.
On Congress’ remarks that this will be the second defeat for the NDA alliance in Karnataka, Kumaraswamy said: “This is not the question of winning or losing. The main battleground for the alliance is Lok Sabha elections.”
Speaking about the Teachers’ Constituency by-polls, he said, “You (media) have only telecasted about how the ruling party nominee was luring voters by giving away silver cups. There are aided schools in that constituency, Congress leaders are experts in garnering votes by blackmailing, considering their party is at the helm.”
“There is no relation between the alliance and that (by-elections). We are taking part in these elections in order to prove that JD(S) is united. To send a strong message that all the MLAs are together, we have fielded Kupendra Reddy,” Kumaraswamy admitted that there are minor issues within the party, like other political parties but it stands united.
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