Congress Wins Karnataka Legislative Council Majority, Boosts Chief Minister Shivakumar
The Congress party won five of seven seats in Karnataka’s Legislative Council elections on June 18, 2026, securing a majority in the 75-member Upper House for the first time since taking power. The victory, aided by cross-voting from BJP and JD(S) legislators, strengthens Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s position. The BJP won two seats, while the JD(S) lost a tight contest for the seventh seat. Congress held mock voting training at a resort to prevent defections. The win allows Congress to pass stalled bills and elect its own candidates for key posts.
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Karnataka Legislative Council polls: Congress wins five amid cross voting, while BJP wins two
In the Karnataka Legislative Council elections held on June 18, 2026, the Congress party won all five seats it contested, benefiting from cross-voting by members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular). The Congress received 11 additional votes beyond its own strength, securing a total of 151 votes across its five candidates. The BJP won two seats, but its candidate Lingaraj Patil received only 27 of the allocated 30 votes, indicating at least three cross-votes. The JD(S) suffered an embarrassing defeat, with its candidate Govindraju receiving only 14 votes against the party's assembly strength of 18. The results are seen as a boost for Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and have exposed factional tensions within the BJP's state unit. Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala called the additional votes 'historic,' while Leader of Opposition R. Ashok acknowledged cross-voting and promised party action.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Congress victory and cross-voting boost Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's standing
The Congress party won all five seats in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections, gaining 11 additional votes through cross-voting from BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) legislators. This victory gives the ruling party a clear majority in the 75-member Upper House, strengthening Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's position in his first major electoral test since assuming office. The win is seen as a message to the JD(S) and allows Congress to pass stalled bills, including the Karnataka Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill and the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions (Amendment) Bill. The party may also elect its own candidates for Chairman and Deputy Chairman posts. Congress held three mock votes to train its legislators, and cross-voting was avoided due to the Chief Minister's influence and fear of losing minority votes.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Voting for Karnataka Legislative Council polls begins June 18
Voting for seven seats in the Karnataka Legislative Council began on June 18, 2026, in Bengaluru's Vidhan Soudha. The ruling Congress party, which currently holds 37 seats in the 75-member Upper House, is expected to secure a majority by winning at least four of the seven contested seats. The BJP is projected to comfortably win two seats, while the seventh seat is a closely contested battle between Congress candidate Vinay Karthik and JD(S) candidate Govindaraju. Voting is conducted via secret ballot by members of the Legislative Assembly, with a candidate needing a minimum of 28 votes to win. The Congress has 135 members in the 222-member Lower House, along with support from two Independents and other allies, while the BJP has 63 members and the JD(S) has 18.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Karnataka Legislative Council polls set to give Congress majority in Upper House
The stage is set for Legislative Council elections to seven seats in Karnataka, which could give the ruling Congress party a majority in the 75-member Upper House for the first time since it came to power three years ago. The Congress currently holds 37 seats and is assured of winning four seats, with a potential fifth seat in a tight contest against the Janata Dal (Secular). If it wins all five, its tally would reach 39. Parties conducted mock voting sessions to train legislators, with the Congress training at a resort near Bidadi, JD(S) near Nandi Hills, and BJP in a Bengaluru hotel. Each candidate needs a minimum of 28 votes to win. The Congress has 135 members in the 224-member Lower House, while the BJP has 63 and JD(S) 18. The JD(S) is seeking six votes from the BJP for its candidate Govindaraju, but the BJP has not yet decided. Second preferential votes will be crucial in the tight contest for the seventh seat between Congress candidate Vinay Karthik and JD(S) candidate Govindaraju.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Ahead of Legislative Council polls, Congress to hold mock voting training for its legislators at a resort
The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) held a meeting at a resort near Bengaluru on Tuesday to strategize for the upcoming elections to seven Legislative Council seats. The party plans to conduct mock voting training on Wednesday for its legislators, many of whom are first-time MLAs. Of the seven seats, Congress and BJP are expected to win four and two seats comfortably, while one seat is a tight contest between Congress and JD(S), raising fears of cross-voting. Congress has 135 members plus support from independents and expelled BJP members, with a total assembly strength of 222. Candidates need at least 28 votes. The party is calculating vote allocation for its five candidates, with particular focus on candidate Vinay Karthik who may need preferential votes. JD(S) expects support from BJP alliance partners but still appears short of required votes. Additionally, Congress legislators were asked to prepare for upcoming Greater Bengaluru Authority, zilla panchayat, and taluk panchayat elections.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Karnataka Legislative Council Polls: Congress May Resort to 'Resort Politics' to Secure Votes
Ahead of the June 18 elections to seven seats in Karnataka's Legislative Council, the Congress party is reportedly planning to house its MLAs and associate legislators at a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru to prevent cross-voting. The Congress is expected to win four seats comfortably, while the BJP is projected to win two. The key contest is for the seventh seat, where the Congress candidate Vinay Karthik faces JD(S) candidate Govindraju. The BJP is expected to transfer seven additional votes to the JD(S), but the regional party may still fall short by two votes. Congress appears to have the required 28 votes, including support from expelled BJP members and associate members. A CLP meeting is scheduled for June 16, after which MLAs may be taken directly to the Vidhana Soudha to vote. The secret ballot system has heightened concerns about potential cross-voting.
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