Bengaluru: Karnataka MLA ST Somashekar has cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections in favour of the Congress, said BJP chief whip Doddanagouda G. Patil on Tuesday. Taking a swipe at the BJP, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said cross-voting isn’t possible in his party.
“Let them keep their (BJP’s) MLAs intact. Cross-voting is only possible in the BJP, not in Congress,” he said.
Voting for four seats from the state for the Upper House of the Parliament took place today.
Meanwhile, Doddanagouda G. Patil said the party will take action against the MLA.
“It is confirmed that ST Somashekar has cross-voted. We are discussing what can be done and what action to be taken,” he said.
ST Somashekar, before casting his vote, made a cryptic remark.
“I will vote in favour of those who assure me and give confidence that they will give funds for the water and other management in my constituency,” he said.
The BJP put a brave face after Somashekhar’s decision.
BJP MLA Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) said: “Sometimes such things happen. The party had given clear direction to vote for BJP-JD(S) candidates.”
Reacting to the reports, Congress MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao said: “We all are intact. For the BJP, it has become a practice to use any method to win.”
Five candidates — Ajay Maken, Syed Naseer Hussain and G C Chandrasekhar (all Congress), Narayansa Bandage (BJP) and Kupendra Reddy (JD(S)) — are in the fray.
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