Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar (centre) with MLAs S.T. Somashekar and Arbail Shivaram Hebbarduring elections to seven seats of the Karnataka Legislative Council, in Bengaluru on June 18, 2026.
Two BJP MLAs expelled from the BJP, S.T. Somashekar (Yeshwantpur) and Shivaram Hebbar (Yellapur), appeared to have voted in favour of the Congress in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections on June 18.
Speaking to reporters, both legislators said they had voted “according to their conscience”, and expressed hope that the Congress government would release development funds for their constituencies.
The former ministers said the BJP had neither approached them nor sought their support for the elections. They revealed that they had met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at a resort on Wednesday, where he sought their support and assured them of funds for constituency development.
“At least as a matter of courtesy, BJP leaders could have spoken to us. The Chief Minister and former Chief Minister met us and sought our support. Why should we vote for the BJP?” they asked.
The MLAs reiterated that voting was conducted through a secret ballot and that they had exercised their franchise according to their conscience.
Both legislators were allotted separate seats in the Legislative Assembly during the session. However, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, another MLA expelled by the BJP, met party leaders and voted in favour of the BJP. He too was provided a separate seat in the Assembly.
Published – June 18, 2026 09:48 pm IST
