Elections to the Rajya Sabha are normally a low-profile exercise Karnataka, but this time around, they have caught the country’s attention.
The election has thrown up questions of ethics, following a string of sting operations that showed MLAs demand cash in exchange for votes.
The ruling Congress and former Prime Minister HD Devegowda’s Janata Dal (Secular) are engaged in a major political fight over the additional votes to ensure victory of their candidates.
Political pundits see this as a spill-over of a decade-long ego clash between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has emerged as a leader of the backward classes, and HD Kumaraswamy, a Vokkaliga leader and former chief minister. The two leaders are using the Rajya Sabha elections to establish their political dominance in the old Mysore region.
Five main candidates are in the fray for the four seats from the State. A candidate from Karnataka needs the support of 45 MLAs to be elected.
The Congress, by virtue of its strength in the Assembly, can ensure an easy victory for two of its candidates – Oscar Fernandes and Jairam Ramesh. However, it has fielded a third — KC Ramamurthy — in the hope that it can woo independents, MLAs from smaller parties and few rebels from the JD(S).
Kumaraswamy’s JD(S) has also fielded Mangaluru-based businessman BM Farooq, even though it does not have adequate numbers to ensure his victory.
Now, fearing poaching from JD(S), the Congress has moved members of smaller parties and independents to luxury resorts in Mumbai as a ‘flock-keeping’ measure.
The BJP, which has fielded Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is confident of a victory, even though it is marginally short (one vote) of the required number.
CM responds to EC noticeReplying to a notice issued by Returning Officer S Murthy, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday clarified that he had not promised increased development funds to legislators in return for their votes in the Rajya Sabha elections.
Sources in the Secretariat said the Chief Minister clarified that there was no truth in allegations of ₹100 crore each being granted to the constituencies represented by independent MLAs.
The notice was served to the Chief Minister following allegations by JD(S) spokesperson Ramesh Babu that the Congress had been luring independents with the inducement.