Karnataka MLC Polls Begin Under Tight Security in Bengaluru

Voting commenced at 9 AM and is scheduled to run until 4 PM, with two dedicated polling booths established within the state secretariat. Authorities have bolstered security at the venue, supported by comprehensive CCTV surveillance to monitor the process. The Congress, currently holding four of the vacant seats, arrived in coordinated groups, while the BJP remains optimistic about securing its two nominated spots. Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka dismissed concerns over cross-voting, asserting that his party has consolidated its support to ensure victory for Raghu Kautilya and Lingaraj Patil.

The math remains tight: candidates need 28 votes each to secure a seat, setting the stage for a showdown over the seventh position between Congress nominee Vinay Karthik and JD(S) candidate Govindaraju. The current vacancy distribution—four held by Congress, two by BJP, and one by JD(S)—underscores the high stakes for the state’s political heavyweights. Simultaneously, polling is underway in Maharashtra for the Nagpur local authorities by-election, a seat left vacant after Chandrashekhar Krishnaraoji Bawankule transitioned to the Legislative Assembly. The Election Commission moved forward with the Nagpur poll only after confirming that 75% of local bodies and electors were operational, with final results for the Karnataka contest expected by the end of the day.