MLC Polls 2026: DK Shivakumar Rallies Support for Congress Candidate
Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar appeals for support for Mohan Limbikai as biennial Legislative Council elections occur across four Indian states.
The biennial Legislative Council elections are currently underway across four major Indian states—Karnataka, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. In Karnataka, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has stepped forward to actively campaign for the Congress party's candidate in the West Graduates' Constituency, urging voters to ensure a victory for the party.
The Battle for West Graduates' Constituency
Taking to the social media platform X, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar appealed to the electorate to cast their first preference vote for Shri Mohan Limbikai. The Chief Minister emphasized that Limbikai is the right choice to represent the interests of graduates and serve as a strong voice for their concerns in the Legislative Council.
The contest in the West Graduates' Constituency is particularly interesting as it features a clash between a seasoned incumbent and a former party colleague. The BJP's SV Sankanur is seeking a third consecutive term. He is being challenged by Mohan Limbikai, an advocate and former MLC who previously belonged to the BJP but is now contesting on a Congress ticket.
Confidence from the BJP Camp
While the Congress pushes for a change, the BJP remains confident. Incumbent MLC SV Sankanur, after casting his vote at the Municipal College in Gadag, noted a significant rush at the polling booths and expressed certainty regarding his victory.
Adding to this sentiment, BJP leader Anil Rajbhar also urged voters to participate in the process. He asserted that the BJP takes every election seriously and predicted that their candidates would secure wins by substantial margins to enter the Legislative Council.
Pan-India Polling Atmosphere
The electoral fever is not limited to Karnataka. In Uttar Pradesh, voters are also heading to the polls. Shripal Singh, a lecturer who voted in the Bareilly-Moradabad Teachers' Constituency, shared his excitement as the first voter at his station, stating his vote was cast for the overall benefit of the teaching community.
In Bihar, the spirit of democracy was evident in Patna. First-time voter Ujjawala Ganguly expressed her pride in participating in the process. She highlighted the priorities of the youth, specifically the need for better education and smoother functioning of employment opportunities, noting that while jobs are being provided, there is room for further improvement.
Election Logistics and Timeline
The Election Commission of India (ECI) organized these biennial elections to fill vacancies created by the ending terms of sitting members. The scale of the vacancies includes:
- Uttar Pradesh: 11 members
- Bihar: 8 members
- Maharashtra: 5 members
- Karnataka: 4 members
Polling hours are set from 8 AM to 4 PM on Friday. To ensure a peaceful voting environment, the police department has deployed strict security measures at polling stations, with officials closely monitoring the entire process to prevent any untoward incidents.
The anticipation now shifts to the counting phase, which is scheduled for October 27, with the entire election process expected to be finalized by October 31.