The ruling Congress in Karnataka pulled out all stops to ensure the victory of its candidate KC Ramamurthy.
Though the outcome of the biennial elections to Rajya Sabha from Karnataka is along expected lines, Congress third candidate KC Ramamurthy, a former police officer, has created a history by getting 52 votes, thanks to the increase in the number of JD(S) dissident MLAs.
The number of dissident MLAs of JD(S) has gone up to eight from five. It may be recalled that five JD(S) MLAs voted in favour of Congress and BJP candidates in the Legislative Council elections held on Friday thus ensuring the ignominious defeat of JD(S) second candidate SM Venkatapathy who got only five votes.
The ruling Congress in Karnataka pulled out all stops to ensure the victory of its third candidate KC Ramamurthy while JD(S) candidate M Farooq got only 33 votes as against the actual strength of JD(S) — 40 MLAs — in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Political analysts expected only five dissident JD(S) MLAs to vote in favour of Congress third candidate but eight JD(S) MLAs voted in favour of Congress third candidate. The MLAs are Zameer Ahmed, Cheluvarayaswamy, Balakrishna C, Akhanda Sreenivasamurthy, Gopalaiah, Bheema Naik, Ramesh Bandisiddegowda and Iqbal Ansari. JD(S) has convened a meeting on Sunday and it is expected to take a disciplinary action against the dissident MLAs.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that Independent MLAs and JD(S) MLAs have voted in favour of Congress candidates in the election. “I want to thank all of them. They reposed faith in Congress government and voted for Congress candidate in the election,’’ the Chief Minister said.
Congress candidates Jairam Ramesh got 47 votes, Oscar Fernandes got 46 votes while K C Ramamurthy received 52 votes. BJP candidate Nirmala Sitharaman got 46 votes while JD(S) candidate B M Farooq got 33 votes.
Work for the development of Karnataka
Expressing gratitude to Congress party and leaders for selecting him as a candidate for Rajya Sabha poll and getting him elected, KC Ramamurthy said that he would not hesitate to raise the issues related to the development of Karnataka in Rajya Sabha. “I am not new to the developmental and administration issues. I have worked as a police officer, registrar and administrator. I will work for the development of Karnataka,’’ Ramamurthy said.
When asked about the sting operation by a TV channel and the difficulties in getting elected, he said: “They did their duty. I did my duty. It was a challenge for me to get elected to Rajya Sabha. ’’
I dedicate myself to Karnataka: Sitharaman
Thanking all those who ensured her victory in the Rajya Sabha election, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman said that she would dedicate herself to Karnataka. “I particularly grateful to each one of our MLAs for the success in this election. At 11 am today BS Yeddyurappaji told me that I will win this election with particular number of votes. It shows that there is a lot of acceptance of BJP in the state. I dedicate myself, in the presence of state leaders, to Karnataka,’’ Sitharaman said.
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