PM Modi mocks Congress after zero seats in MLC polls despite use of paper ballots
The Congress failed to win any of the 12 seats it contested across four states, including Karnataka, where it is in power
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (October 28) taunted the Congress party for its dismal show in the MLC elections despite the use of paper ballots, a key demand of opposition parties in their campaign against EVMs.
The Congress drew a blank in Karnataka while the BJP won five legislative council seats in Uttar Pradesh and the Samajwadi Party three as results were announced on Wednesday for the biennial elections held in 28 upper house constituencies across four states.
Ballot paper jibe
"MLC elections in 28 seats across 4 big states - Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka. Elections held using ballot papers. Guess how many seats Congress won?" Modi said in a post on 'X'.
Counting began on Tuesday (October 27) and was still underway in some seats.
Elections to the six teachers' and five graduates' constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, four each in Bihar, two each in Karnataka, and three graduates' and two teachers' constituencies in Maharashtra were held on October 23.
Also Read: UP MLC polls: BJP wins 5 of 11 seats, SP wins 3; high drama in Agra
In Maharashtra, the BJP-led ruling Mahayuti was leading in three seats while the opposition NCP (SP) was ahead in two seats. The Jan Suraaj Party opened its account in Bihar, where the BJP, the JD(U), the RJD, and an Independent have won one seat each.
Karnataka setback for Congress
The Congress suffered a setback in Karnataka, losing all the four seats with the opposition JD(S) wresting one segment from the ruling party and its ally BJP retaining three.
The Congress and several other opposition parties have been demanding that all future elections be held using ballot papers and not the EVM.
(With agency inputs)