BJP leaders summoned to Delhi over Karnataka cross-voting scandal and factionalism
Multiple BJP and JD(S) MLAs in Karnataka cross-voted during Legislative Council elections, causing the NDA candidate to lose votes. National president Nitin Nabin summoned state leaders to Delhi, formed a fact-finding committee, and warned of punishment. Internal factionalism, particularly around state president B.Y. Vijayendra, has deepened mistrust. The incident threatens party unity and electoral prospects ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
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BJP Fact-Finding Report on Karnataka Council Cross-Voting Blames Lack of Precautions
A three-member BJP committee led by MLC C.T. Ravi submitted a fact-finding report to Karnataka state party chief B.Y. Vijayendra regarding cross-voting in recent Legislative Council elections. Ravi stated the report highlights precautions that should have been taken, but declined to name specific cross-voters. He revised the total cross-votes from the NDA to 12, not 11 as Congress claimed, noting the BJP candidates lost votes and the JD(S) received only 14 of 22 expected votes. The party leadership, including Vijayendra and opposition leader R. Ashok, was summoned to Delhi by national president Nitin Nabin, who expressed displeasure. The report may lead to changes in state party leadership amid factional speculation.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.BJP National President Nitin Nabin Orders Probe into Cross-Voting by Karnataka MLAs; Warns of Punishment
BJP national president Nitin Nabin convened a high-level meeting with Karnataka party leaders on June 23, 2026, to address cross-voting in the recently concluded Legislative Council elections. The cross-voting, which saw some BJP MLAs vote against the NDA's candidate, triggered strong concerns over indiscipline. An investigative committee headed by MLC C.T. Ravi, with state vice-president N. Mahesh and MLA Mahesh Tenginakayi, has been formed to identify the defectors and must submit a report by June 25. Party president B.Y. Vijayendra, opposition leader R. Ashok, and in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal attended the meeting. Sources indicated Nabin rejected explanations blaming ally JD(S)'s strategy, emphasizing that cross-voting within BJP ranks was inexcusable. The incident has exposed internal factionalism, with a faction allegedly colluding with JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy to embarrass Vijayendra. R. Ashok stated Nabin will personally handle the matter and action against betrayers has already begun.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Cross-voting deepens mistrust in faction-ridden BJP Karnataka unit
Cross-voting by BJP MLAs during recent Legislative Council elections in Karnataka has exacerbated internal mistrust within the already faction-ridden state unit. The party high command is set to discuss the issue in Delhi. A group of senior leaders opposes state president B.Y. Vijayendra, accusing him of deviating from the party's stance against dynastic politics, as he is the son of veteran leader B.S. Yediyurappa. Vijayendra's supporters suspect political detractors orchestrated the cross-voting to undermine his leadership. Meanwhile, opponents blame him publicly on social media. Senior leaders worry the infighting will hamper cadre morale and the party's ability to challenge new Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections. Some suggest the BJP-JD(S) coalition should not have fielded an extra candidate. The proposed legislature party meeting at Dharmasthala to 'seek the truth' on cross-voting is likely to be cancelled after opposition from several leaders.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Karnataka BJP leaders reach Delhi to meet party president Nitin Nabin over cross-voting scandal
Karnataka BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok traveled to Delhi to meet party national president Nitin Nabin on June 22, 2026, regarding an embarrassing cross-voting incident. During recent Legislative Council elections, 11 MLAs from the BJP-JD(S) alliance violated party whip and voted for the ruling Congress candidates. The party's fact-finding committee, led by C.T. Ravi, prepared an interim report to submit before the high-command meeting. Ashok, adopting an aggressive stance, warned of consequences for defectors. Former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda criticized the central leadership for not acting earlier and claimed he had alerted state leaders about potential cross-voting before the polls.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.BJP summons Karnataka state leaders to Delhi over cross-voting in Legislative Council elections
BJP national president Nitin Nabin has summoned Karnataka state unit president B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition R. Ashok, and party in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal to Delhi on June 23 over cross-voting in the recently concluded Legislative Council elections. The party high command is unhappy and a revamp of state leadership is possible. A fact-finding committee led by MLC C.T. Ravi has been formed to identify cross-voters. Initially, the party said three MLAs cross-voted, but Vijayendra later revised the estimate to four or five. The BJP candidate received 27 votes instead of the allocated 30. Internal factionalism over candidate selection—specifically the dominance of a Hubballi faction—may have contributed to the defections. The Congress is accused of trying to exploit the internal divisions.
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