Karnataka Bypolls: BJP Pitches Disqualified MLAs as Ministers; Congress, JD(S) Vow Defeat

Karnataka’s ruling BJP is presenting most of its candidates in the by-elections to 15 assembly seats, many of them disqualified rebel MLAs, as future ministers, as the results will be crucial to its government’s survival. The Congress and the JD(S), whose coalition government the rebels brought down in July, have vowed to defeat them.

The contest

The December 5 bypolls followed the resignations and absence of 17 Congress-JD(S) MLAs, whom the then Speaker later disqualified under the anti-defection law. Monday was the last day for nominations. The Supreme Court allowed them to contest, and the next day, November 14, sixteen of the 17 joined the BJP; and the BJP has fielded 13 of them. Of the 15 seats, 12 were held by the Congress and three by the JD(S).

Claims and counter-claims

The Congress petitioned the Election Commission on Saturday, alleging that Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa’s promise of ministerial posts was meant to influence voters. Yediyurappa said there was nothing wrong with such a promise and that choosing ministers was his prerogative. He said the BJP would win all 15 seats, though it needs only six to stay in power, and that he would campaign in every constituency.

Former chief minister Siddaramaiah said the disqualified MLAs should be ashamed to seek votes and that the Supreme Court had upheld their disqualification. He said the Congress aimed to win all 15 seats and would win at least 12. JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, whose party is contesting alone, has also said defeating the rebels is its main goal, while H D Deve Gowda claimed the Chief Minister was worried about their chances.

Dissent in all parties

The Congress named P Nagaraj in Yeshwantpur, and the JD(S) has yet to name candidates for four seats. All three parties face internal unrest, most visibly the BJP in Hoskote and Kagwad. Former MLA Raju Kage left the BJP and is the Congress candidate, while Sharath Bachegowda, who lost Hoskote to MTB Nagaraj in 2018, is running as an independent with JD(S) backing. Yediyurappa said Bachegowda would be expelled and removed as Housing Board chairman or asked to resign.

See also: Janata Dal (Secular) and constituency pages.

Originally published on 18 November 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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