June 10, the day when India will witness a ruthless battle in the political arena of India; the Rajya Sabha polls. Unopposed candidates have won 41out of the 57 vacated Rajya Sabha seats earlier and now the contest is now for the left 16 seats. The battle is most hyped in the southern state of Karnataka, where the Bhartiya Janata Party has an edge. While JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy has decided to ally with the Congress party for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls fearing the BJP.
The battle for Rajya Sabha seats seems interesting in Karnataka
This is probably the first time when Rajya Sabha polls have become a heated contest like never before, almost comparable to the assembly elections. Political parties have fielded six candidates for four Rajya Sabha seats falling in the state, union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, actor-politician Jaggesh and outgoing MLC Lehar Singh Siroya from the BJP, former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh and state general secretary Mansoor Ali Khan from the Congress, and former MP D Kupendra Reddy from the JD(S).Among the aforementioned candidates, minister Sitharaman and Jairam Ramesh are contesting for re-election from the state.
Read more: “Resort Politics” will be the X-factor in the Rajya Sabha elections on June 10
BJP has an upper edge in Karnataka
The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party has the strength. It has the support of 122 legislators including the support of 2 independent MLAs. The patry will be easily able to elect two of its candidates, thus ensuring the re-election of finance minister Sitharaman and Jaggesh. After the election of two of its candidates, the saffron party may lack 13 votes in the selection of its third candidate Lehar Singh Siroya.
The numbers suggest that Congress having the strength of 70 MLAs can ensure election of its first candidate Jairam Ramesh. After which the party will be left with 25 votes, that is 20 less than the number needed to get the second candidate elected.
Whereas Kumaraswamy’s JD(S) has 32 legislators in the assembly, and with this number the party cannot ensure the election of any of its candidates fielded for the fray in Rajya Sabha. Hence, the regional party is eyeing towards Congress.
Kumaraswamy- Congress tying up for the upcoming RS polls
Just a day before the Rajya Sabha polls, Kumaraswamy’s Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress are making an effort to come on the same table regrading the elections. Congress and JD(S) are trying to make an understanding to take on the BJP’s third candidate. Earlier, Kumaraswamy had also reiterated that Congress should extedn support to his party’s candidate D Kupendra Reddy to defeat BJP’s Lehar Singh Siroya , and had explained AICC General Secretary, Randeep Singh Surjewala that it’s the need of the hour that Congress’ second nominee Mansur Ali Khan cannot win the polls even if JD(S) transfers its second-preference votes.
Read more: BJP is going to get full majority in Rajya Sabha and many more things to follow
Reportedly, Kumaraswamy had said that Surjewala has assured that that the Congress leaders will discuss the issue with them.
Reports suggest that the two parties may align together keeping aside their minor differences in order to take over the BJP. Senior JDS leader HD Revanna said, “We have come together earlier to defeat the BJP.”
The main contest is over the fourth seat where despite not having the numbers have fielded their candidates forcing the election. Numbers suggest that none of the parties have adequate number of votes to win the fourth seat. It is being speculated that a situation may arise where the second and third preferential votes may have to be counted if necessary. Now, in the fear of the BJP and insecurity of cross voting, Congress and JDS are looking for each others support to save their sinking ship.
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