The BJP-JD(S) alliance has won all four Karnataka Legislative Council seats that went to polls on October 23 — two graduates' and two teachers' constituencies — leaving the ruling Congress without a single victory, according to the declared results reported by Jagran Josh and LatestLY. The BJP secured three seats and the JD(S) one.

Source: Jagran Josh

The biggest upset came in the Bengaluru Teachers' constituency, where JD(S) candidate A. P. Ranganath defeated sitting Congress MLC Puttanna by 908 votes — Ranganath secured 10,810 votes against Puttanna's 9,902, LatestLY reported. The constituency recorded 81.98 per cent turnout. In the North-East Teachers' constituency, BJP candidate Shashil G. Namoshi retained his seat, defeating Congress nominee Sharanappa Mattur by 3,297 votes.

Source: LatestLY

The two graduates' seats

In the West Graduates' constituency, BJP candidate S. V. Sankanur defeated Congress candidate Mohan Limbikai by 9,323 votes, Jagran Josh reported. In the South-East Graduates' constituency, BJP candidate K. M. Suresh won, defeating Congress candidate Shashi Hulikuntemutt, according to reports of the results. Turnout was 73.58 per cent in South-East Graduates', 75.62 per cent in West Graduates' and 86.97 per cent in North-East Teachers'.

The BJP called the sweep a verdict against the Congress high command — the party said the result, in a paper-ballot election in a state where Congress holds power, showed voters had lost faith in the state government, Devdiscourse reported, attributing the claim to BJP leaders including state president B. Y. Vijayendra and Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy. That is the BJP's characterisation of the result; the four teachers' and graduates' constituencies are specialised electorates and do not by themselves decide who governs Karnataka.

Yaani in simple words: in these four special council elections — where only teachers and graduates vote — the opposition alliance won every seat, including one the ruling Congress previously held.