The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may be mired in problems. But that is no cause for cheer to the main Opposition party, the Congress. For the grand old party of the country has its own set of problems to contend with: it is all set to be eclipsed from its position of strength and be reduced to an also-ran status in the Karnataka legislative council.
The forthcoming elections to 25 seats of the council from the local bodies constituencies on December 18, is certain to ensure that the Congress might, for the first time in the history of Karnataka, not even remain the largest Opposition party, as its tally is likely to make it the third-largest entity in the Upper House.
The Congress currently shares the lead position in the 75-member House with the BJP: both hold 28 seats each.
Of the 25 outgoing MLCs, 22 are from the Congress, while only one retiring MLC is from the BJP. The JD(S) and JD(U) have a member each among the retiring members. Compounding the miseries of the Congress is the fact that three nominated MLCs, all its members, are due to retire on January 20. This would bring down the Congress position in the House to seven.
The BJP is now targeting a win in at least 15 of the 25 Council seats going to the polls on December 18; even if it falls far short of that target and wins only five, the party will still have 32 seats. And if one takes into account the fact that it can always fill up the three nominated seats due to fall vacant with its supporters, the BJP appears set to seize control of the House for a long time to come.
On the other hand, the Congress is eyeing a victory in 15 seats, while party insiders say they might have to be satisfied with 10 seats. This could bring the party’s tally to 17.
Members from local bodies including zilla, taluk, gram and panchayats from various districts will be electing the MLCs.
Over the past few years, the state’s bipolar politics has entered the era of coalitions. The equations have changed in the grassroots democratic institutions too and the Congress has become one of the three major formations - along with the Janata Dal (Secular) and the BJP — in contention for power in these bodies.
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