Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in turmoil over cross-voting allegations in Karnataka's recent Legislative Council elections. June 23, party president Nitin Nabin summoned top state leaders like B.Y. Vijayendra and R. Ashok to confront the issue. Sources say dissatisfaction in party ranks might trigger a shift in state leadership.
To dig deeper,state unit set up a fact-finding committee led by C.T. Ravi. N . Mahesh and Mahesh Tenginakayi join him to trace cross voters,despite secret ballot hurdles. BJP leadership also plans to get independent views from other party members.
Vijayendra's latest comments altered party's stance on cross voters' numbers. He estimated four to five members strayed,differing from Ashok's earlier claim of three. Suggests some BJP legislators meant to back Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) candidate might've broken ranks.
Pinpointing cross voters is tough due to ballot secrecy. Some think analyzing second preference votes might help,but BJP candidate Lingaraj Patil won only in elimination round,leaving those votes uncounted.
Meanwhile,Chandru Lamani,BJP MLA,defended his vote,saying he and Krishna Nayaka backed NDA candidate. Lamani vented frustration over media chatter on their voting, claiming it embarrassed them in their constituencies.
Vijayendra accused Congress of trying to stir trouble in BJP by guessing cross voters' identities. Said party won't ignore those who broke trust. Fact-finding committee will unmask culprits,and strict action will follow .
Patil, expected to get 30 BJP votes,received only 27,showing at least three cross votes. One belonged to Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, an expelled MLA who backed BJP but voted JD(S). JD(S) candidate got 14 votes,despite 18 MLAs,hinting four crossed lines too.
BJP worries go beyond cross-voting; factionalism seems part of problem . Internal rift showed in candidate picks, with Patil from one faction, R. Raghu from another. Party's choice of V. Nagaraj for Rajya Sabha from Hubballi added tension, as district leaders wanted MLC seat representation,which also went to Hubballi.
As BJP maneuvers through these issues,cross-voting and internal splits could reshape its political scene in Karnataka…
