Thursday, June, 18,2026

Latest News

Congress dominates with 5-seat victory in Karnataka MLC elections; CM Shivakumar congratulates Hariprasad, Kamakanoor, others

Bengaluru : The Congress secured a decisive victory in the Karnataka Legislative Council biennial elections, winning five out of the seven seats, as results marked a strong performance for the party in a key early test under the leadership of Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

The five Congress winning candidates include BK Hariprasad, Tippannanappa Kamakanoor, PV Mohan, Shivanna Malavalli, and Vinay Kartik.
Celebrating the outcome, Shivakumar congratulated the winning candidates and expressed confidence in their continued public service.
"Heartfelt congratulations to the Congress party candidates Shri B.K. Hariprasad, Shri Tippannanappa Kamakanoor, Shri P.V. Mohan, Shri Shivanna Malavalli, and Shri Vinay Kartik, who have secured victory in the Legislative Council elections. We wish that your service to the people continues ceaselessly, and that your contributions to the state's development remain immeasurable," he posted on X.

Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar credited the party leadership for finalising candidates and managing a strong show of support in the House.
"Today, the election was not expected. I thought that there would be no elections. But the JDS and BJP wanted to fight the elections. The Congress party and the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi finalised the candidates, who have been working in the party throughout the country," he said.
Shivakumar added that the result reflected a broad consensus among legislators, including support from members across party lines.
"Today, a very big mandate has been given among the legislators. Many of my different political parties, cutting across party lines, have voted in favour of the government. They have agreed on the policies. I thank all the legislators who have helped us, who have voted for us. We stood unitedly, and these are the results of the unity of the Congress party in the country," he added.
Among the winners, Congress candidate Tippannappa Kamaknoor also expressed gratitude to the party leadership following his victory.
"The Congress Party won the Legislative Council for the third time. I congratulate the KPCC and the AICC leaders of the Congress Party. I will work very well with the party. I work for the poor people. I will try to bring the Congress Party to power in the state in 2028," he said.

Congress candidate PV Mohan said the win belonged to party workers and credited the leadership of the Congress high command for recognising his work.
Speaking to reporters, Mohan said, "I'm dedicating the victory to my party men, my colleagues, my workers."
Responding to questions on party support and future responsibilities, he said, "Yeah, if you work, the party will give a good opportunity. I'm a true Congressman, the party recognised me."
On his organisational role, he added, "Whatever responsibility they'll give, I'll work for them."
"I'm a small man. I'm very happy, Rahul-ji, KC Venugopal-ji, all recognised my work. They gave me a good platform to show my ability. Definitely, I will fulfil their trust," he added.
Furthermore, Shivanna Malavalli thanked the party leadership, including senior state and national leaders, after his victory in the Council polls.
"I'm very much thankful to my national leaders, state leaders and KPCC president BK Hariprasad ji, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ji and present Chief Minister DK Shivakumar ji and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara ji. And I'm thankful to all and grateful to all our MLAs," he said.
Responding to questions on his priorities, he said his focus would remain on student welfare.

"I am a student-oriented thinker. I am always thinking about our students of the state. I am fighting for the student's welfare programs and students' development programs," he said.
Meanwhile, BJP candidate Raghu R Kautilya also won one of the seats, marking a presence for the opposition in the contest.
"I am really happy, I am now the state BJP OBC morcha president. I represent the most backward community. BJP is for the social justice, the Constitution and democracy intention. I am grateful to the high command," Kautilya said.
Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said the results reflected a strong mandate in favour of Congress candidates and its governance model in Karnataka.
"In the first round of the Legislative Council elections, all five Congress candidates won with a landslide victory. Congress had 135 votes, but it won 151," Surjewala said.

He added that the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) suffered losses in their expected vote share.
"The BJP lost 7 votes, falling short of 64, and the Janata Dal won 14 votes instead of 18," he said.
Surjewala said the results indicated rejection of opposition politics and endorsement of Congress welfare guarantees.
"This vote is a vote for positive politics... On one side is the negative politics of the BJP and the Janata Dal, which wanted to abolish the Congress's 5 guarantees," he said.
He further claimed that Congress' welfare schemes had strong public and legislative backing.
"Today, their own MLAs expressed no confidence in the BJP and Janata Dal leadership... the Congress's 5 guarantees, through which Rs 56,000 crore are being transferred annually to the accounts of the poor, ordinary women, and the needy, are the correct policy," Surjewala said.
He added that the mandate reflected support for development-oriented governance.

"This path of progress and development is the right path, a positive vote, and therefore, thanks to all the MLAs who voted in favour of Karnataka," he said.
Polling for the seven Legislative Council seats was held between 9 am and 4 pm, while counting began at 5 pm on the same day. Eight candidates were in the fray, including five from the Congress, two from the BJP, and one from the JD(S).
The seven seats were earlier held by members, including Govinda Raju, Naseer Ahmed, N Nagaraju (MTB), Prathap Simha Nayak K, Tippannappa, Sunil Vallyapur, and BK Hariprasad.

The results come after polling for the seven seats concluded at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru with all 222 MLAs casting their votes, reflecting 100 per cent turnout in the electoral process based on proportional representation by legislators.
With the results now declared, the Karnataka Legislative Council election is being seen as an important early test of organisational strength under the current Congress leadership in the state. 

Related News

visit e-papers

Daily Astro

18-06-2026

image

Aries

Ganesha says it will be an important day for you, Aries. Your energy and confidence are ready to take you to new heights. Today you will be able to express your thoughts with clarity, which will increase your communication skills. New opportunities may arise in the working areas, which you have to be ready to take advantage of. In social life, you can make new meetings, which will prove beneficial for you in the future. This day will be good for solving family issues, and you will be able to establish better relations with your close ones. In the field of health, take care of your routine and resort to yoga or meditation to relieve mental stress. Controlling your expenses will be a smart move, as any sudden financial need may arise. Overall, this day is for you to stay positive, just use your insight and energy properly.

image

Pisces

Ganesha says it is going to be a positive day for you. Your sensitivity and intuition will flourish today, allowing you to establish better connections between yourself and others. It is time to connect with someone or refresh old memories. Try to communicate with people close to you, as it will strengthen your relationships. In the field of work, your creativity will be cyclical today. If you are working on a project, your ideas will be new and full of innovation. Do not be afraid to share your ideas, it will give you positive feedback from your colleagues. In terms of financial condition, avoid any big investments. Small expenses will prove to be justified but think well before making any big decisions for the long term. In terms of health, focus on a balanced diet and regular exercise. For mental health, practicing meditation or yoga will help keep you stress-free.

image

Aquarius

Ganesha says new opportunities are likely to open up for you. You will be in a position to take your creative abilities to new heights. This is the time to share your ideas and make new plans. Your friends and family will support your ideas, so it will be beneficial to take their advice into account. Positive changes are possible in business. This is the right time to work on an important project. You will get an opportunity to use your skills and knowledge properly. But, be careful; in some cases, you will need to control your emotions. In personal life, relationships will deepen. You will try to spend more time with your loved ones. This is a good time for love and companionship. Enjoy emotional moments that will make your relationships stronger. Be health conscious. Dedication to yoga and meditation will give you mental peace. These activities will keep not only your body but also your mind active. Overall, today will be full of possibilities for you. Stay committed to your dreams and work on them.

image

Capricorn

Ganesha says your day is full of some new possibilities. You will experience grace and stability in your actions. This is the time to focus on your goals and work with determination to pursue your plans. You are likely to get success in your work, especially if you maintain your hard work and dedication. Positive changes can also be seen in your relationships. You will get a chance to spend time with family and listen to them, which will increase mutual understanding and depth. Focus on communication, as it will make your relationships stronger. However, it is also time to make monthly plans. Take care of your financial matters and try to save. This is the time when you can take concrete steps for your future. Your health condition is likely to remain normal but take some rest. Maintaining a mental balance will be important for you. Stay positive and keep faith in your actions!

image

Sagittarius

Ganesha says today will be full of new possibilities and positive energy for you. You will feel a rise in your confidence, which will keep you open to new opportunities. This is the right time to make an important decision. Your spirituality and intuition will be strong, which will enable you to understand and face difficulties. Spending time with friends and family will awaken a sense of happiness and satisfaction in your mind. Relationships with colleagues at work can take a new direction. Cooperation and communication will help solve problems. If you face an obstacle or challenge, remember that you can overcome it. In terms of health, you may need to make a little improvement in your routine. Regular exercise and a balanced diet will give you freshness and energy. Strengthening social relationships and contacting new people will also be beneficial today. This is the time for self-growth and positive change for you, so recognize the energy within you and use it properly.

image

Scorpio

Ganesha says today will be full of enthusiasm and energy. You will move towards achieving your goals, and your hard work will pay off. Social life will also be active; you will get a good chance to spend time with friends and family. In terms of health, take a little caution. Focusing on meditation and exercise will help reduce mental stress. This is also a good time to take up a new hobby, which can unleash your creativity. Take wise steps in terms of money. Make informed decisions while investing. For potential financial gains, take a look at past projects again. Your career is showing good signs of progress. Your ideas may be appreciated at the workplace, which will increase your confidence. Still, some issues may require restraint. Overall, today will prove to be positive and auspicious for you. Spend it with pride with your loved ones.

image

Libra

Ganesha says today will be a very auspicious and positive day. You will get a chance to clarify your thoughts, which will bring stability to your personal and professional relationships. Your communication skills will increase, and this will open the doors of new possibilities for you. Your creativity and aesthetic sense will be especially strong today. If you are associated with any art or design, your work will be appreciated. This is the right time to express your feelings. If you are confused about a decision, trust your intuition; it will show you the right path. In terms of health, small changes can make your life better. Focus on regular exercise and a balanced diet. In love and relationships, a new understanding will develop, which will strengthen the mutual bond even more. Overall, this day is a sign of positive changes and new beginnings for you. Stay focused on your goals and recognize your inner strengths.

image

Virgo

Ganesha says today is a suitable day to highlight your cognitive abilities and business skills. Today, you will be full of clarity and precision in your actions, which will increase your value among your colleagues and superiors. There is a possibility of bringing some changes to your routine, which will bring positive results for you. This is a good time to improve relations with family members. Try to resolve any old disputes, and keep communication open. In terms of health, meditation and yoga will bring mental peace. Also, take some time out of your routine for exercise. From a financial point of view, this is the right time to make a good plan for the right investment. Take a good look at the options available to you and make a wise decision. Overall, today will prove to be a day of new possibilities and positive changes for you. Be full of confidence and stay focused on your goals.

image

Leo

Ganesha says today will be a day full of energy and inspiration. Your confidence will increase and your thoughts will come out with clarity. On this day, you will be able to see some new possibilities in your career, which will bring you hard work. Mutual understanding and harmony will increase your relationship, which will create a happy atmosphere among the family. This is a great time to express your thoughts clearly, so do not hesitate to communicate with your partner or friends. It is important to be health conscious, a little exercise and meditation will maintain your mental and physical health. Overall, this day will bring activity and positivity for you, so make the most of all the opportunities!

image

Cancer

Ganesha says it will be a day of information and communication for you. Your mind will be full of ideas and you will be able to express your ideas well. There is a possibility of some new opportunities in professional life, which can prove beneficial for you. It is a good time to strengthen relationships with your colleagues, so work together at the workplace. Your emotional state will also be strong. Time spent with family will give you satisfaction. If you have any old problem going on, then the right time is coming to solve it. However, you need to keep your emotions under control, so that you do not get agitated over small things. In terms of health, try to practice yoga and meditation. It will empower you both mentally and physically. Take informed decisions in financial matters; do not rush into any investments. In summary, this day will be all about communication and cooperation, which will lead to positive changes for you.

image

Gemini

Ganesha says there will be a new energy and freshness in your thoughts, which will make your personality even more attractive. Social contacts are likely to increase, which will expand your network. You will be inspired to spend blissful time with your friends and family. Some positive changes can also be seen in the business sector. The results of your hard work will gradually start coming, and this will motivate you to move forward. Keep in mind that while sharing your ideology, work with empathy, this will strengthen your relationship with colleagues. It is important to be health conscious. A little attention and relaxation will give you mental freshness. Practicing yoga or meditation will be beneficial for you. This day will be full of positivity and new possibilities for you. Express your mind openly and do not hesitate to adopt new ideas.

image

Taurus

Ganesha says it will prove to be a positive day for you, Taurus. You will feel energetic and full of confidence. The time has come to reap the fruits of your hard work and efforts. The workload may stress you for a while, but you will face all the challenges recognizing your strengths. Sweetness will also remain in your relationships. Spending time with your family and friends will be a source of joy for you. Conversation with someone special can give you a new vision and promote mutual understanding. A special occasion may be organized among friends or family, which will bring happiness and harmony to you. Moments spent with loved ones will give you mental peace. It is important to be health conscious. A little exercise or yoga will give peace to your mind and energy to your body. Your day will be full of happiness and positivity, just keep your thoughts and emotions balanced.

Gallery

18-06-2026