Karnataka Council polls: Setback to Congress raises questions over leadership and strategy for 2028 Assembly elections

Karnataka’s Deputy CM G. Parameshwara, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and KPCC President B. K. Hariprasad. | Photo Credit: File photo

The ruling Congress’s defeat in all four Karnataka Legislative Council constituencies for graduates and teachers is seen as a setback for Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, raising questions about the party’s organisational strength, collective leadership, and its strategy ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.

The results suggest that the Congress’s political messaging failed to resonate with sections of the graduate and teacher electorate, who are expected to be shaping public opinion on government policy.

The BJP-JD(S) alliance, which has recovered from earlier setbacks caused by cross-voting by MLAs in Council elections, is likely to intensify its attack on the Congress government over alleged corruption and administrative lapses. The losses in constituencies considered regional strongholds of Congress leaders could also trigger questions about their influence and campaign effectiveness.

DKS’s political base

The defeat of Puttanna, a five-time MLC and Shivakumar loyalist, in the Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency is particularly significant. His loss to JD(S) candidate A.P. Ranganath, despite both belonging to the Vokkaliga community, could put a question mark on Shivakumar’s standing in a region central to his political base. It follows the defeat of his brother, D.K. Suresh, in the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Bengaluru Rural, where BJP candidate C.N. Manjunath won.

Several factors may have contributed to the Congress’s poor performance. Discontent over teachers’ transfers and recruitment and the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam may have affected the party’s support. The change of the Chief Minister and strained relations between the government and the party organisation could also have weakened its campaign.

Mr Shivakumar’s frequent Delhi visits, his involvement in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) protests and the controversy surrounding the alleged sting operation involving Congress leaders may have diverted attention from local issues. His exchanges with Union Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy over the sting operation, the NICE road project and the proposed Bidadi township have kept the focus on political controversies rather than governance.

Contrast to bypolls

The results contrast with the Congress’s performance in Assembly by-elections under then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, when it won five assembly by-elections – Shiggaon, Channapatna, Davanagere, Sandur and Bagalkote. Those victories had strengthened the party, but the Council results show that its success in Assembly by-elections has not necessarily translated into support among graduates and teachers.

The results are also seen as a setback for Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara and Home Minister Priynak Kharge. The Congress’s losses in powerful ministers’ bastions are likely to trigger questions around their effective involvement in the campaign. The losses have also raised questions about whether the government’s guarantee schemes are translating into support among this section of voters.

The Congress’s focus on attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS, alongside concerns over infrastructure bottlenecks in Bengaluru and other parts of the State, have apparently contributed to the outcome. The absence of a woman minister in the State Cabinet has also drawn criticism, especially among women voters.

Although Congress leaders have argued that the results are neither a verdict on the government nor a forecast of the 2028 Assembly elections, the defeat could intensify internal differences and groupism within the party. Dissatisfied leaders, especially the loyalists of Mr Shivakumar, may question KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad’s effectiveness and demand organisational changes, adding to the Chief Minister’s challenges. Mr. Hariprasad faced electoral battle for the first time after assuming office

The next challenge

The forthcoming Hiriyur Assembly byelection will provide another test for the Congress and an indication of whether it can contain the political damage ahead of 2028.

Published - October 28, 2026 02:19 pm IST