Overview
- The recent Karnataka Legislative Council elections produced media reports of cross‑voting by JD(S) legislators, triggering scrutiny of party unity.
- H.D. Kumaraswamy publicly said on Friday that four JD(S) MLAs had cross‑voted and that the party had fielded a candidate to test loyalty rather than to win the seat.
- Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Deve Gowda has denied the allegation, saying he voted according to his conscience, noting he came early to vote and challenging anyone to prove he cross‑voted.
- Kumaraswamy warned he may take tough action against dissidents and said some who cross‑voted are preparing to leave, while stressing the council result will not immediately change Karnataka’s political arithmetic.
- Because council members are elected by secret ballot it is hard to prove individual cross‑voting, and the episode underlines factional strains in JD(S) that could affect candidate selection and organisation rebuilding ahead of 2028.