PM Modi taunts Congress for dismal show in MLC polls despite use of paper ballots

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. File | Photo Credit: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) 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 (October 28) for the biennial elections held in 28 Upper House Constituencies across four States.

"MLC elections in 28 seats across 4 big States — Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka. Elections were held using ballot papers. Guess how many seats Congress won?" PM Modi said in a post on 'X'.

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? 🧐

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 28, 2026

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.

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.

The Congress suffered a setback in Karnataka, losing all four seats, with the Opposition JD(S) wresting one seat 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.

Published - October 28, 2026 06:07 pm IST