MLC results don't reflect govt's performance, Congress will introspect: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mlc-results-dont-reflect-govts-performance-congress-will-introspect-karnataka-minister-priyank-kharge/articleshow/135263212.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Priyank Kharge Says MLC Results Do Not Reflect Government Performance

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday, October 28, said the Congress would introspect following its defeat in all four Legislative Council constituencies that went to the polls in the state.

However, Kharge maintained that the results should not be viewed as a direct assessment of the Congress government's performance.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the party respected the voters' decision and acknowledged that every election offered an opportunity to identify shortcomings and improve its approach.

Kharge said the Congress needed to strengthen its organisation and pay closer attention to issues affecting teachers and graduates, who formed the electorate in these constituencies.

BJP–JDS Alliance Wins All Four Karnataka MLC Seats

The Congress suffered a setback as the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) alliance won all four Legislative Council seats in Karnataka.

The BJP retained three constituencies, while the JDS wrested the Bengaluru Teachers' constituency from the Congress.

The results were:

• Bengaluru Teachers' Constituency: JDS candidate A. P. Ranganath defeated sitting Congress MLC Puttanna by 908 votes.

• North-East Teachers' Constituency: BJP candidate Shashil G. Namoshi defeated Congress candidate Sharanappa Mattur by 3,297 votes.

• South-East Graduates' Constituency: BJP candidate K. M. Suresh defeated Congress nominee Shashi Hulikunte Mutt by 23,098 votes.

• West Graduates' Constituency: BJP's S. V. Sankanur retained the seat, defeating Congress candidate Mohan Limbikai by 9,323 votes.

The outcome strengthened the BJP–JDS alliance's position and provided the Opposition with an opportunity to question the Congress's organisational strength ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.

Congress to Review Its Strategy

Kharge acknowledged that the Congress could not dismiss the results simply because the elections involved a limited electorate.

He said the party would examine its shortcomings, strengthen its organisation and work to improve its connection with teachers and graduates.

The defeat of Puttanna in Bengaluru was particularly surprising for the Congress, according to Kharge. The constituency had been a key focus for the ruling party, but the JDS candidate managed to secure victory.

The Congress leadership has also indicated that it will review the results and take corrective measures. Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar separately said the party would study the outcome and develop a plan of action.

Kharge Confident of Congress Return in 2028

Responding to the BJP's claim that the MLC results signalled the Congress government's defeat in the 2028 Assembly elections, Kharge expressed confidence that his party would return to power.

He said the Congress would continue to move forward under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, G. Parameshwara and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

The minister also challenged the BJP to seek an electoral mandate if it was confident of its political position.

He accused the Opposition of focusing on what he described as emotional politics, while asserting that the Congress intended to concentrate on livelihoods, employment and economic development. These remarks reflect the Congress's political position rather than an established assessment of voter sentiment.

Why the MLC Results May Not Reflect Statewide Voter Sentiment

Kharge argued that the Legislative Council elections involved a specialised electorate, unlike general Assembly elections.

The four constituencies were reserved for registered teachers and graduates. Voters in these groups may have specific professional concerns and established relationships with candidates, making the contests different from elections involving the entire electorate.

Although the results represent a setback for the Congress, they do not automatically determine the outcome of the next Assembly election or establish whether the state government has lost broader public support.

At the same time, the defeat gives the Congress a reason to review its candidate selection, campaign strategy and engagement with professional groups.

Priyank Kharge Calls for an 'Ethical Hackathon' on EVMs

Kharge also addressed the debate over electronic voting machines (EVMs), which has featured prominently in the Congress's criticism of electoral procedures.

He proposed an "ethical hackathon" to examine EVMs scientifically and identify any technical problems that might require correction.

Kharge suggested that ballot-paper voting could be considered for forthcoming Zilla Panchayat elections and, if necessary, for Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

He also called on the Election Commission to ensure transparency in electoral procedures and voter lists. His proposal is a political demand; it does not establish that EVMs have been compromised.

Congress Raises Concerns Over Electoral-Roll Revision

The Karnataka minister also raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

He referred to claims involving pre-printed Form-7 applications, which are used to request deletion of names from electoral rolls, and allegations that some voters had been incorrectly listed as deceased.

Kharge said the government would examine whose names had been deleted, why the deletions occurred and whether the prescribed procedures had been followed.

He alleged that 40 Form-7 applications submitted from a single polling booth in Chitapur were bogus and said election officials had filed a complaint. He also referred to the Aland case, claiming that 5,994 of 6,018 applications were fake and that a chargesheet had been filed.

These are allegations cited by the minister and should not be treated as independently established findings. The specific claims require verification through the relevant investigations and official records.

Political Significance Ahead of Karnataka's 2028 Elections

The BJP–JDS victory has given the Opposition alliance momentum as it prepares to challenge the Congress in the next Karnataka Assembly election.

The Congress, meanwhile, faces pressure to strengthen its organisation and respond to the issues raised by the results.

The MLC elections are unlikely by themselves to determine the stability of the state government. Nevertheless, the outcome provides an important political signal about the alliance's coordination and the Congress's performance among teachers and graduates.

The next major test will be whether the BJP and JDS can sustain their cooperation and whether the Congress can turn its promised introspection into organisational improvements before 2028.

Key Takeaways

• Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the Congress would introspect after losing all four MLC seats.

• He maintained that the results did not necessarily reflect the state government's overall performance.

• The BJP retained three seats, while the JDS won the Bengaluru Teachers' constituency.

• The Congress plans to strengthen its organisation and review its engagement with teachers and graduates.

• Kharge expressed confidence that the Congress would return to power in 2028.

• He proposed an "ethical hackathon" to examine EVMs scientifically.

• The minister also raised allegations concerning voter deletions and Form-7 applications, which require verification.

• The MLC results have strengthened the BJP–JDS alliance's position ahead of the next Assembly election.

Bottom Line

Priyank Kharge has acknowledged the Congress's defeat in Karnataka's four MLC constituencies and promised an organisational review, while arguing that the results do not provide a complete assessment of the state government's performance. With the BJP–JDS alliance winning all four seats, the Congress faces pressure to strengthen its outreach and strategy ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections. Kharge remains confident of a return to power and has called for greater transparency in electoral procedures.