Karnataka Council polls: Upset for Congress as it loses Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency

Supporters of NDA candidate for Bengaluru Teachers’ Constituency A.P. Ranganath celebrate his victory in the Legislative Council elections, in Bengaluru on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.

The ruling Congress could be staring at an embarrassing loss in the Legislative Council elections where the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has won in two seats and leading in the other two where counting is still under way. The biggest upset for Congress came from Bengaluru Teachers constituency where five-time MLC and former Deputy Chairman Puttanna lost to NDA candidate A.P. Ranganath by a margin of 908 votes.  

The result could be a shot in the arm for the NDA partners after having been jolted by cross voting of 11 of its MLAs during the poll to seven Legislative Council seats in June. The Congress had won five out of seven seats and the saffron party had won two seats. Earlier in May, the Congress had also won Davangere South and Bagalkot bypolls, retaining both the seats despite strong internal differences.

Of the four constituencies that went into polls on October 23, three constituencies were held by the BJP and the Bengaluru Teachers constituency was held by the Congress.