Karnataka Legislative Assembly election sees contested seats and MLA defections

On 18 June 2026, Karnataka held elections for seven vacant seats in the state legislative assembly. A candidate must secure the support of 28 sitting MLAs to win a seat. Based on current MLA counts, the Kong party is projected to win four seats, while the BJP could capture two. The Majda party, with 19 MLAs, is positioned to win one seat.

Reports indicate that the Kong party is attempting to lure MLAs from rival factions by offering accommodations at a luxury hotel, with security arrangements made for the legislators. The move has prompted complaints from party leaders, who warn of intensified actions against such cross‑party voting.

The election process, including vote counting, is slated for later today, with the outcome expected to reshape the balance of power in the Karnataka assembly.