Resort politics- Karnataka Congress certain of win in RS polls, but not ready to take chances

The Congress has made a strong pitch in Karnataka to the Election Commission of India not to postpone the elections in the wake of television channels conducting a sting operation.

As parties in Karnataka wait for a final decision from the Election Commission of India, it appears that the results of the Rajya Sabha elections in the state are becoming extremely clear.

The Congress which ferried 7 independents MLAs to a hotel in Mumbai is confident now that it could push its third candidate, K C Ramamurthy into the Rajya Sabha. The Congress has also nominated Jairam Ramesh and Oscar Fernandes for who a win is certain.

The biggest loser is the JD(S) and as things stand, it looks impossible for them to elect their candidate, B M Farooq to the Rajya Sabha.

Rebellion in the JD(S):

The JD(S) needed five votes to elect its candidate. However now with it becoming clear that the five rebels will vote for the Congress, the JD(S) needs in total of ten votes. At this juncture it is impossible for the JD(S) to dish out those ten votes.

The Congress is confident that the independents would vote for their candidate. However it is still not ready to bring the 7 independents from Mumbai to Bengaluru until June 10, the scheduled date for the elections.

Three other independents are still in Karnataka and are expected to join the rest in Mumbai today. Although the 10 independents and the five rebel JD(S) MLAs have pledged their support to the Congress, the party is still apprehensive. The JD(S) is known to pull a trick or two out its bag and change the scenario.

The JD(S) which appeared to have conceded defeat yesterday would go in for a major introspection after the elections. It is likely to suspend or rusticate the rebels from the party after watching which way they vote.

Fate of the polls:

The other fear for the Congress is the verdict of the Election Commission of India. A sting operation showed some MLAs speaking about money in exchange for votes. The Congress has requested the ECI not to postpone the elections stating that there was no money exchange.

The ECI is under a lot of pressure from the media to take action in this case. The Chief Electoral Officer has sent his report to the Election Commission of India. the CEO has only presented the details of what transpired on tape, the visuals and also the media clippings. It has left it to the ECI to take a final call.