In a setback to the BJP-JD(S) alliance, saffron party MLA S T Somashekar voted for Congress candidate Ajay Maken while another MLA Arbail Shivaram Hebbal abstained from voting in the Rajya Sabha elections for four seats in Karnataka on Tuesday.
Mr Somashekar and Mr Hebbar, who are upset with the BJP, were seen getting closer with the Congress in recent months.
Mr Somashekar represents Yashwantpur assembly constituency and Mr Hebbar from Yellapur segment.
"We have got the information that Somashekar has done cross-voting. I believe that people do not like cheating every now and then," the Leader of Opposition R Ashoka told reporters here.
"I consulted with advocate Vivek Reddy who is our state legal cell president and a high court lawyer. We will ask the Speaker to initiate action against him (Somashekar) and explore the possibilities to take steps in accordance with the law," the former deputy chief minister said.
Mr Somashekar had quit the Congress and joined the BJP. He served as the minister (in the BJP government) and was made the Mysuru district in charge.
Mr Ashoka termed Mr Somashekar's decision as "political suicide".
Soon after voting, Mr Somashekar told reporters that he voted as per his conscience.
"I went by my conscience and voted for those who worked for building schools and carry out development works in my constituency," the rebel BJP leader said.
Mr Ashoka said Mr Hebbar was in touch with him since morning and assured him that he would vote for the BJP candidate.
"Mr Hebbar had been telling me that he would not betray the party, but I don't know why he did not turn up to vote. He double-crossed us today, which he should not have done. We will initiate action against him," Mr Ashoka said.
Both the MLAs had defected from Congress to the BJP along with 15 others, bringing down the 14-month-old coalition government of the Congress and the JD(S) in 2019 facilitating the installation of the BJP government.
In 2023, they once again got elected to the assembly on the BJP ticket.
The BJP and JD(S) workers staged a demonstration in Bengaluru against Somashekar. Raising slogans, they burnt his effigy.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Congress 3, BJP 1: Rajya Sabha Election Results Out For Karnataka Concern Over Possible Cross-Voting Ahead Of Rajya Sabha Polls In 3 States Karnataka Congress MLAs To Stay At Bengaluru Hotel Ahead Of Rajya Sabha Polls After Retest, Haryana NEET Centre With Most Top Scorers Gave This Result... The 'Fake' CrowdStrike Worker Who Took Credit For Biggest-Ever IT Outage What Recovery Of Austrian Gun 'Steyr AUG' From J&K Terrorists Means IGNOU Hiring Vice Chancellor, Salary Rs 2.10 Lakh, Check Details Free Electricity, Treatment: Arvind Kejriwal's 5 Guarantees For Haryana Triptii And Vicky Only Give Good News In Matching Versace Printed Looks Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.