Copyright newskarnataka
Bengaluru: With Karnataka Legislative Council elections for four seats — two from the graduates’ constituencies and two from the teachers’ constituencies — due early next year, the state’s major political parties have swung into action. The Congress, BJP and JD(S) have started mobilising their networks among educators and graduates, focusing primarily on voter enrolment, which is a key determinant in these constituency-based elections. Voter enrolment drive gains momentum Party workers across districts have begun urging eligible teachers and graduates to get their names included in the electoral rolls. The last date for registration is November 6, though the Election Commission will continue to allow additions until the nomination filing process begins. Union minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy has directed his party’s cadre to coordinate with the BJP on voter registration efforts. A six-member coordination committee, including four MLCs, has been set up to supervise the process across all four constituencies. JD(S) eyes two seats in alliance with BJP According to S L Bhojegowda, JD(S) MLC and member of the coordination committee, the BJP has initially agreed to allocate the Bangalore Teachers’ constituency to JD(S) as part of the seat-sharing arrangement. Negotiations are ongoing for the South-East Graduates’ constituency as well. “We have started preparations for the election. Voter registration is crucial, especially for private school teachers. Our teams are reaching out aggressively to ensure their inclusion in the electoral rolls,” Bhojegowda said. Sources in the BJP confirmed that the party will soon form its own election oversight committee to monitor preparations and voter registration, working in tandem with JD(S) under the alliance framework. Congress intensifies ground mobilisation Meanwhile, the Congress has also begun mobilising local networks to assist eligible teachers and graduates in completing their voter registration. Party functionaries have been tasked with ensuring that every eligible voter in their constituency is included before the deadline. Teachers across Bengaluru confirmed that several institutions have started collecting documents from staff for registration. “Our school management has asked all teachers to submit their voter ID, Aadhaar card and two passport-sized photos so our names can be added to the list,” said Gayithri Kumar, a teacher from Bengaluru. Constituencies and current MLCs The four seats going to polls cover key regions across Karnataka, currently represented mostly by BJP members. Importance of graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies Graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies are unique to legislative council elections, representing professionals rather than general voters. Winning these seats is strategically important for parties to strengthen their presence in the upper house of the state legislature and ensure influence in policymaking, especially in education and governance matters. With alliances being recalibrated and voter registration deadlines approaching, the coming weeks are expected to witness intense campaigning and coordination between the cadre of all three major parties. As Karnataka gears up for the council elections, the political focus remains firmly on voter enrolment drives, a key step that will shape the outcome. With the Congress working independently and the BJP–JD(S) alliance consolidating its base, the contest is expected to be keenly fought across all four constituencies when polling takes place early next year.
