BJP Summons Karnataka Leaders After Cross-Voting in Council Polls
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has summoned its Karnataka state president B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, and national general secretary Radhamohan Das Agarwal to New Delhi on June 23. The meeting follows instances of cross-voting by legislators from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the recently concluded Legislative Council elections.
In the June 15 elections for seven council seats, the Congress party secured five seats despite the NDA commanding 82 MLAs in the Karnataka assembly. The BJP's two candidates received 56 votes, falling short of the party's strength of 64 MLAs. Its ally, the Janata Dal (Secular), which has 18 MLAs, secured only 14 votes for its candidate, despite the NDA arrangement allotting three BJP votes to the JD(S) candidate. According to party estimates, at least 11 legislators voted against the alliance's agreed strategy.
Party insiders indicated that the central leadership was displeased with the state unit's inability to maintain unity among its legislators and ensure coordination with the JD(S). The summoned leaders are expected to explain the setback and propose action against those who defied the party whip.
Defending the alliance's electoral plan, Vijayendra stated that the BJP and JD(S) had jointly decided to contest aggressively for a third seat. He said, "HD Kumaraswamy suggested we should not give up the contest. Based on discussions with our leadership, we backed the JD(S) candidate and fought together. During voting, six to seven cross-votes happened from the JD(S) side and four to five from the BJP side. We have some information on who played this game."
Vijayendra added that he had sought an appointment with BJP national president J.P. Nadda to brief him on the situation. He said, "The party brass will take this seriously and whatever action is required will be taken." Meanwhile, the Karnataka BJP unit has constituted a committee to investigate the cross-voting and is expected to submit a report by June 25.
