CM Shivakumar ensures Deputy CM Parameshwara’s participation in MLC polls, says he will vote at 1 PM

BENGALURU: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday visited the residence of Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara in Bengaluru to enquire about his health.

Speaking after the visit, CM Shivakumar assured that the Deputy CM has recovered and will be participating in the voting process later today. “Dr Parameshwara is fine and healthy. He will come and vote at 1 pm. He is okay and has recovered”, said CM DK Shivakumar.

#WATCH | Bengaluru: Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar arrives at the residence of Dy CM G Parameshwara.

He says, “Dr Parameshwara is fine and healthy. He will come and vote at 1 PM. He is okay and has recovered.” pic.twitter.com/067FHDtnew

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2026

Following the Chief Minister’s visit, Home Minister Priyank Kharge also arrived at Dr Parameshwara’s residence to check on his well-being.

#WATCH | Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge arrives at the residence of Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar. pic.twitter.com/0Ic8W54H0j

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2026

Voting for seven seats of the Legislative Council began at 9 am at Vidhana Soudha and will continue till 4 pm. Two polling booths have been set up inside the state secretariat to facilitate secret voting by MLAS. CCTV cameras have been installed both inside and outside the polling room, and all arrangements for voting have been completed. Necessary police security has been deployed at Vidhana Soudha. Results will be announced this evening after voting concludes.

The polls were necessitated by the upcoming retirement of seven MLCs whose terms conclude on June 30. The outgoing members include Congress’s Govindaraju, Naseer Ahmed, Thippannappa, and B.K. Hariprasad, as well as BJP’s M T B Nagaraju, Prathap Simha Nayak and Sunil Vallyapur.

In the 75-member Upper House, Congress currently has 37 seats, while the BJP has 29, while JD(S) has seven seats, followed by one Independent member, and the Chairman. Through these elections, the Congress aims to further bolster its tally in the Council. (ANI)