JD(S)

BJP-JD(S) sweeps Bengaluru Teachers seat Congress loses on Kharge's home turf

Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy has urged JD(S) social-media workers to cooperate with police investigating a video described by Congress leaders as a fake sting operation targeting former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The BJP and its ally Janata Dal (Secular) recorded a strong performance in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections held on October 23, 2026. The BJP won three seats, while JD(S) secured one, strengthening the NDA's position in the state and dealing a setback to the Congress in key constituencies.

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has accused Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Home Minister Priyank Kharge of conspiring to implicate him and the Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S), in a sting operation case involving former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra has said another chief ministerial change would not surprise him amid a controversy involving alleged sting operations targeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The dispute has intensified political exchanges between the BJP, Congress, and JD(S).

A fresh political controversy has erupted in Karnataka's electoral-roll revision process after an FIR was registered over alleged fraudulent Form-7 applications seeking deletion of 5,698 voters in Bengaluru's Jayanagar constituency.

Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar has alleged that BJP and JD(S) figures were involved in attempts to delete eligible voters through bulk Form-7 applications during the SIR exercise. Multiple complaints and FIRs have emerged over disputed voter-deletion applications, while election authorities have directed officials to investigate false submissions.

Senior Congress MLA and former Karnataka minister H.K. Patil has set October 10 as the deadline for the state government to declare Gadag district drought-affected. Patil has said he will decide on resigning as MLA if the demand is not accepted, citing rainfall deficiency, crop losses and concerns raised by local representatives and farmers.

Mahadev Prasad is a journalist who covers Karnataka politics, government affairs and developments in the state.

The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer has allowed adult family members to represent senior citizens, persons with disabilities, sick individuals and overseas voters during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The decision is aimed at making the voter-verification process more accessible while ensuring eligible voters remain part of the electoral system.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly politicising commercial and legal matters amid a dispute involving the Tata Group. The exchange has brought corporate governance, legal procedures and political accountability into the spotlight.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the state's preparedness for a possible cyclone on October 24, 2026. The state government said 302 rescue teams were kept ready and announced the closure of schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in five districts on October 28 and 29. The priority is to protect residents in vulnerable areas, safeguard essential services and minimise disruption to farming and livelihoods.