Kumaraswamy downplays cross-voting incident
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday dismissed suggestions of a rift with the BJP following cross-voting by some legislators in the recent Karnataka Legislative Council elections. He attributed the incident to the allure of constituency development funds, stating that lawmakers may have been tempted by such incentives.
Details of the Council polls
The elections for 11 seats of the Karnataka Legislative Council, held on June 13, saw cross-voting by at least four legislators from the ruling coalition, which includes the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular). The BJP managed to win two seats despite being in the opposition, thanks to the cross-voting. Kumaraswamy, however, maintained that the coalition remains intact and that the cross-voting was not a sign of any internal discord.
Impact on coalition dynamics
Kumaraswamy said, "There is no rift with the BJP. Legislators may have fallen for constituency development funds. It is not a major issue." He added that the coalition government is stable and that such incidents are common in politics. The Chief Minister also noted that the government would take necessary steps to ensure discipline among its legislators.
