Karnataka Cross-Voting Row: BJP MLAs to Take Oath Before Lord Manjunatha in Dharmasthala

Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra has proposed holding a legislature party meeting at Dharmasthala to address allegations of cross-voting by BJP MLAs during the recent Legislative Council elections. He said legislators may be asked to take a ‘Pramaana’ or oath before Lord Manjunatha and state whether they voted against the party’s candidates. Vijayendra described the alleged cross-voting as a “betrayal” and said those found guilty would face action regardless of seniority. The controversy erupted after Congress won five of the seven Legislative Council seats, while BJP secured two and JD(S) failed to win its seat. The BJP has formed a fact-finding committee to investigate the allegations. Vijayendra said the secret ballot system has made identifying those involved difficult, but the inquiry will continue.