Mysuru, 19 June

JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday said he was neither shocked nor surprised by the cross-voting that led to the defeat of the JD(S) candidate in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections, asserting that he had prior information about legislators who were likely to vote against the party line.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I have complete information about who cross-voted in Thursday's election. I had already anticipated who would cross-vote and from whom it would come. Therefore, the result of this election and the cross-voting have not caused me any shock or surprise whatsoever."

The JD(S) leader's remarks came after the ruling Congress won five of the seven Legislative Council seats that went to polls, while the BJP secured two seats and the JD(S) failed to win a seat on Thursday.

The results exposed cross-voting by legislators from the opposition BJP and JD(S), helping the Congress secure 151 votes, 11 more than its expected tally of 140.

Kumaraswamy said, "I knew what might happen. In a symbolic way, I fielded a candidate to test how my party's MLAs would conduct themselves even today."

He said former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda's long-standing trust in party leaders and workers had often prevented harsh action against them despite repeated setbacks.

"He has suffered blow after blow over the last 70 years, but still thinks nothing should happen to the party. Because of that attachment, he tries to save everyone," Kumaraswamy said, referring to the JD(S) patriarch.

Asked whether Gowda's emotional attachment also influenced him, the JD(S) second-in-command said he had largely followed the senior leader's advice after taking an independent political decision in 2006 that helped establish his own political identity.

"Because I took that decision, today people in this state understand who Kumaraswamy is. They understood my conduct and my way of functioning. That is what gives me the strength to fight today," the former CM said.

Kumaraswamy was referring to the JD(S) forming a coalition government with the BJP in Karnataka despite Gowda's reluctance.

However, Kumaraswamy indicated that the current situation demanded a different approach to protect both the party and the state.

"Today, in the context of saving this party, and more importantly saving this state, I cannot compromise," he said.

The union minister also signalled a generational shift within the JD(S), saying he intended to provide greater opportunities to young leaders.

"I am ready. I have decided that greater priority must be given to the youth in this party and to new faces. New people will come," he said.

When asked about possible disciplinary action within the party following the election outcome, Kumaraswamy said consultations could take place at different levels, but the final decision would rest with him.

"Ultimately, whoever may go and hold discussions with whomever, the final decision will be mine, based on the views of my party workers," he said.

According to sources, preliminary information suggests that eight JD(S) legislators and three BJP MLAs may have cross-voted in favour of Congress candidates. However, JD(S) sources claimed that only four from JD(S) had cross voted and rest were from BJP.

The JD(S) candidate Govindaraju secured only 14 votes and was defeated, while all five Congress candidates and two BJP candidates were elected.