A tale of two cross-votings: How power politics played out in Karnataka, Jharkhand

Cross-voting significantly impacted Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhandand Legislative Council elections in Karnataka, with both the INDIA bloc and NDA facing losses. While parties lauded rival cross-voters as exercising conscience, they condemned their own MLAs for betraying the party. This highlights a persistent double standard, where power dynamics, not ideology, drive these electoral outcomes despite past reforms aimed at curbing corruption.

By KUNAL VARMA