The fractions within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had its ensuing effects in the July 19 Presidential elections, with the state of Karnataka reportedly showing the highest cross-voting among other states in the latest 13th Presidential election.
In the 225-member assembly, BJP has 119 seats and also has the support of one independent MLA. BJP-backed PA Sangma was assured 120 votes in Karnataka assembly, but fell short of 17 votes, receiving only 103 votes in his favour.
Meanwhile, UPA's nominee Pranab secured 117 votes against the assured 97 votes from Congress and JD(S) MLAs.
The maximum cross-voting in the BJP-ruled state has raised several questions on the party's integrity, thus causing embarrassment for the central leadership over its inefficiency in setting the house in order.
This incident has added to the uncertainty in BJP's future in the upcoming general elections at the Karnataka helm. Moreover, the party is struggling to run the government amidst the internal conflicts within the party itself.
Sources said Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has assured that the government would form a committee to probe into the incident and strict action will be taken
The Karnataka assembly has a strength of 225 members, of which only 223 MLAs took part in Presidential polling as one was a nominated member and was not eligible to vote. One seat was vacant following the resignation of Kundapur MLA Haladi Srinivas Shetty.
Out of 223 votes, three were declared invalid during the ballot counting in New Delhi.
