Bengaluru, Karnataka – In a surprising turn of events during the ongoing Rajya Sabha elections in Karnataka, BJP MLA S.T. Somashekar, representing the Yeshwanthpur seat in Bengaluru, has reportedly voted for the Congress party candidate. This unexpected move has raised eyebrows and led to speculations about the reasons behind Somashekar’s decision.
After casting his vote on Tuesday, Somashekar stated, “I have cast my vote for those who promised. My vote has gone to those who have given assurances to me.” When questioned about voting for the BJP candidate, Somashekar hastily left the Vidhana Soudha without providing a direct answer.
Sources have confirmed that Somashekar indeed cast his vote for the Congress party candidate G.C. Chandrashekar. The revelation was conveyed to the BJP leadership by polling agents Arvind Bellad and V. Sunil Kumar, prompting discussions about potential disciplinary action against the MLA.
Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy commented on Somashekar’s move, highlighting that the MLA had initially joined the BJP with the goal of developing his constituency. Kumaraswamy criticized Somashekar, stating that despite being a cabinet minister for three years, he had focused on self-development rather than fulfilling promises made to his constituency.
In response, Somashekar defended himself by pointing out Kumaraswamy’s opportunistic move of becoming the Chief Minister by forming an alliance with the Congress party. He suggested that Kumaraswamy should have declined the post, considering the electoral mandate was not in his favor.
Somashekar had joined the BJP in 2019 and served as a cabinet minister. However, after the 2023 Assembly elections, he distanced himself from the party, alleging systematic sidelining by insiders. His recent cross-voting incident adds another layer of complexity to the political dynamics in Karnataka.
Deputy Chief Minister and Congress state President D.K. Shivakumar, who considers Somashekar as his godfather, had earlier acknowledged their longstanding relationship. Notably, Somashekar had also supported the Congress candidate in the recent MLC elections, further adding to the intrigue surrounding his political affiliations.
