Karnataka Rajya Sabha Polls: The Congress party won three of the four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka for which polling was held in the state Assembly on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the BJP managed to secure a win on one seat. All three candidates fielded by the Congress party from Karnataka -- Ajay Maken, Syed Naseer Hussain, and GC Chandrashekhar -- registered victories in the Rajya Sabha polls.

BJP candidate Narayanasa Bhandage also emerged victorious in the election. However, JDS candidate Kupendra Reddy, who also had the backing of the BJP, lost in the election, which witnessed cross voting by BJP MLA ST Somashekar. This came as Rajya Sabha seats from three states went to the polls.

BJP Betrayed By Karnataka MLA

BJP MLA ST Somashekar on Tuesday cross-voted in the favour of the Congress party in the polling in Karnataka Assembly for four Rajya Sabha seats from the state, BJP's Chief Whip in the House, Doddanagouda G Patil, said. Prior to the polling, ST Somashekar had told the media: "I will vote in favour of them who assures me and gives confidence that they will give funds for the water and other management in my constituency." 

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The Karnataka BJP will file a complaint with Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khadar against party MLA ST Somashekar for cross-voting in favour of Congress in the Rajya Sabha polls, BJP MLC N Ravi Kumar said.

ST Somashekar joined the BJP after abandoning the Congress in 2019. He was one of the 15 MLAs whose resignations brought the erstwhile Congress-JD(S) ruling coalition of Karnataka in the minority that year. Subsequently, the government in Karnataka under Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy collapsed, clearing the way for the BJP to form its government in the state.

'Shows Congress' Unity'

Following the announcement of results for Rajya Sabha polls in Karnataka Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader DK Shivakumar stated, "This shows the unity and integrity of Congress. I thank all the MLAs, party workers and the media. I'm very happy to inform you that all Congress candidates have won. I thank all voters, CM and party workers and the AICC President also. I would like to thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge."

UP, Himachal RS Polls

Voting took place for 15 Rajya Sabha seats across Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh during the day. In Himachal Pradesh, the sole Rajya Sabha seat from the state was won by BJP's Harsh Mahajan. The results for the polling in UP Legislative Assembly were still awaited. Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the outcome of the elections for Rajya Sabha is likely to have an impact on the politically crucial states.

(With inputs from ANI)


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