BENGALURU: Polling for the Karnataka Legislative Council biennial election got underway on Monday morning.
Former Speaker of the Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti, who switched from the JD(S) to the BJP, and former Minister Prakash Hukkeri are among those contesting.  The ruling BJP is optimistic about its prospects in these polls, having won three seats in the Rajya Sabha elections. On Wednesday, the results will be announced.

Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., 607 polling booths are open for voting. There are a total of 2.84 lakh electors that are eligible to vote.  Elections are being held for the constituencies of North-West Graduates, South Graduates, North-West Teachers, and West Teachers. The incumbent BJP and the opposition Congress have both fielded candidates in all of the seats, with the JD (S) opting out of the North-West Graduates seat.

The result will determine whether the ruling BJP maintains its majority in the 75-member Legislative Council. Basavaraj Bommai, the Chief Minister, has been heavily involved in BJP candidate campaigning.

Basavaraj Horatti is contesting for the seat of West Teachers. For him, it's a make-or-break issue that will determine his political future. He has been elected to the constituency seven times, and he is seeking re-election for the eighth time. The fight has grown more difficult and exciting as a number of BJP leaders are dissatisfied with Basavaraj Horatti's decision to join the party.

Congress, BJP win 3 Rajya Sabha seats each in Rajasthan & Karnataka

Polling for 2 RS seats in Haryana underway, MLA Balraj Kundu to abstain

Polling begins for Brajarajnagar bypoll in Odisha amid tight security