RS polls today, fierce fight for fourth seat

By:Shyam, Sundar Vattam / NT
Bengaluru

Hearts are fluttering in all three major political parties in Karnataka- BJP, Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) ahead of the crucial polls to four Rajya Sabha seats on Friday with no party having the numbers to  claim the coveted fourth seat leading to wild speculation about cross-voting and the possibility of legislators remaining absent on the day of polling.

There are six candidates in the fray for four seats with the ruling BJP fielding Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, actor turned politician Jaggesh and former MLC Lehar Singh Siroya. The Congress has fielded sitting member Jairam Ramesh and Mansoor Ali Khan while the JD(S) has put up Kupendra Reddy, a businessman. Going by party strength, the BJP can easily win two seats but is short of votes to ensure the victory of its third candidate. Similarly, the Congress can win one seat with ease but requires the support of another party  to ensure the victory of its second candidate, Mr Khan. The JD(S) with 32 MLAs, does not have the numbers to win a seat but its support will prove crucial in the contest for the fourth seat.

The fear of cross-voting has gripped all three parties and more so the JD(S) with many of its MLAs reportedly planning to switch to the  BJP or Congress ahead of the 2023 Assembly polls.