Congress Wins 5 of 7 Karnataka MLC Seats, Boosting DK Shivakumar’s Standing

Congress Wins 5 of 7 Karnataka MLC Seats, Giving DK Shivakumar an Early Political Boost

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar cleared his first major electoral hurdle on Thursday as the Congress secured five of the seven Legislative Council seats that went to polls, comfortably outpacing the BJP-led NDA and signalling strong support within the state Assembly.

The result is being viewed as an important political endorsement for Shivakumar, who recently assumed office following Siddaramaiah’s resignation.

While Congress had the numerical strength to comfortably win its allotted seats, the scale of its victory suggested support beyond its own ranks. The party and three Independent legislators together command 138 votes in the 224-member Assembly, but Congress candidates collectively received 151 votes, pointing to apparent cross-voting from opposition benches.

The BJP-led NDA, which contested all seven seats, won two seats, while the Janata Dal (Secular) failed to secure a victory, with its candidate Govindaraju falling short.

Congress Claims Support Beyond Party Lines

Reacting to the outcome, Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala described the result as a strong endorsement of the state government’s welfare agenda.

According to Surjewala, Congress secured 151 votes despite having 135 legislators of its own, while opposition parties failed to retain the support expected from their respective camps.

He argued that the outcome reflected growing acceptance of the Congress government’s flagship guarantee schemes, under which the state spends approximately ₹56,000 crore annually on welfare benefits.

“The BJP and JD(S) opposed these guarantees, but the voting pattern indicates that legislators across party lines have shown confidence in the government’s policies,” Surjewala said.

Shivakumar Hails ‘Big Mandate’

Chief Minister Shivakumar thanked legislators who backed Congress candidates and described the result as a reflection of party unity.

He said he had initially hoped the elections would be uncontested but noted that the BJP and JD(S) chose to force a contest.

“The Congress leadership under Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi selected candidates who have worked for the party across the country. The legislators have given them a very strong mandate,” Shivakumar said.

He also claimed that lawmakers from outside the Congress fold had supported the party’s candidates.

“Many MLAs cutting across party lines have voted in favour of the government and its policies. I thank all those legislators for their support,” he added.

Political Significance

The victory carries significance beyond the numbers.

Coming just weeks after Shivakumar took charge as chief minister, the result provides an early indication of his ability to hold the party together and manage legislative support. The apparent cross-voting from opposition ranks is also likely to strengthen his standing within the Congress leadership.

For the BJP and JD(S), meanwhile, the outcome raises questions about internal cohesion, particularly if cross-voting allegations are confirmed.

With Congress securing five of the seven seats and outperforming its expected tally, the MLC election has delivered an early political win for Shivakumar and reinforced the ruling party’s dominance in Karnataka’s Assembly arithmetic.