Bengaluru: Counting is underway for the elections to 25 seats of Karnataka Legislative Council. Latest trends show that Congress has won the Bangalore City MLC seat and is leading in 13 other seats. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in six seats including Chikmagalur and Kodagu, Janata Dal Secular and others are ahead in two seats each.
Congress is facing piquant situations with BJP and JDS joining hands on certain issues. Congress has fielded 21 candidates, BJP 20, JDS 18 and others 6, along with 60 independents are contesting the elections.
The three major players have gone all out to put up a good show, with 125 candidates in the fray - 117 men and eight women.
The elections were held as the term of office of 25 members of the Council from local authorities constituencies is due to expire on January 5.
In a surprise move, JDS leaders BZ Zameer Ahmed, TA Saravana and Akanda Srinivas Murthy have cast vote in favour of Congress candidate M Narayan Murtht in Bengaluru.
Giving reasons for casting vote in favour of Congress, Zameer said, "Myself, Saravana and Murthy - we have not received any instruction from our top leaders. H D Deve Gowda or H D Kumaraswamy have not issued any whip to our party as well. Therefore, we were free to vote for any candidate of our choice."
Former Chief Ministers B S Yeddyurappa and D V Sadanada Gowda cast their votes in Shikaripura and Bengaluru, respectively.
This election is a litmus test for Siddaramaiah who hopes that Congress boosts its strength in the Upper House, where the ruling party has been facing embarrassing moments due to lack of numbers in 75-member Council.
In the midst of major political parties accusing each other of luring voters with expensive gifts and cash rewards in various constituencies, the ruling party faced rebels in some districts but had expelled them for not toeing the line.
The elections were held on December 27.
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