Full Breakdown
Modi’s Ballot-Paper Taunt Highlights Congress’s Blank Sweep in MLC Elections
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Event
The Congress party failed to win any of the 28 seats it contested across the four states.
02
Background & Context
The biennial MLC polls on October 23, 2026 covered teachers’ and graduates’ constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka and Maharashtra. These constituencies use paper ballots, a demand repeatedly voiced by opposition parties alleging EVM irregularities.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium)
03
Data & Statistics
- Seats contested: Congress fielded candidates in 12 seats (including four it held previously).
- Outcome: Congress won 0 seats; the BJP-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance captured three seats in Karnataka, while JD(S) took the remaining Karnataka seat.
- State-wise results (as of October 28):
- Uttar Pradesh – BJP secured 4 or 5 seats; Samajwadi Party won 2 or 3.
- Maharashtra – BJP-led Mahayuti alliance leading in three of five seats; Nationalist Congress Party ahead in two.
- Bihar – Jan Suraaj Party won its first Council seat; BJP, JD(U), RJD and an Independent each won one.
- Karnataka – BJP retained three seats; JD(S) won the Bengaluru Teachers’ seat from Congress.
04
Official Statements & Responses
- “MLC elections in 28 seats across 4 big States … Elections were held using ballot papers. Guess how many seats Congress won?” — PM Modi.
- BJP national president Nitin Nabin said the party would continue to dominate under Modi’s leadership and accused Congress of opposing electoral-roll cleaning.
- “A historic 4/4 clean sweep for the NDA in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections (2 Graduate & 2 Teachers' constituencies)!” — Gyanesh Kumar, chief election commissioner.
05
Criticism & Opposition
- “The issue is not with the EVM or with the ballot paper. The total issue lies with the attitude of the party, the influence of a candidate, and the belief of the people… Congress is accusing others—'vote chori, vote chori' (vote theft),” — Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.
- Congress leaders have demanded that all future Lok Sabha and state-assembly elections be conducted using paper ballots, arguing that EVMs lack transparency.
06
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Uttar Pradesh seat count: Some outlets report BJP winning 5 seats, others list 4; the final tally remained pending in several constituencies.
- Counting status: As of October 28, counting was still underway in several Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra seats, leaving the complete result set incomplete.
07
Timeline
- October 23, 2026: Voting held across the 28 MLC constituencies.
- October 27, 2026: Counting began.
- October 28, 2026: Results announced; Modi’s ballot-paper taunt posted.
- November 1, 2026 (scheduled): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi plans a “Delhi Chalo” protest over alleged electoral malpractices.
08
Why It Matters
The episode underscores the political battle over India’s voting technology. While the BJP leverages the paper-ballot victory to counter Congress’s EVM criticism, the opposition continues to press for a nationwide shift to ballot papers, framing the issue as central to electoral integrity. The stark contrast between Congress’s zero-seat outcome and the BJP-led alliance’s gains may influence voter perceptions ahead of the 2027 state-assembly polls.
09
Verbatim Quotes
- “MLC elections in 28 seats across 4 big States — Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka. Elections were held using ballot papers. Guess how many seats Congress won?” — PM Modi
- “The issue is not with the EVM or with the ballot paper. The total issue lies with the attitude of the party, the influence of a candidate, and the belief of the people. All these things matter. But for everything, Congress is accusing others—' vote chori, vote chori' (vote theft),” — Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy
- “A historic 4/4 clean sweep for the NDA in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections (2 Graduate & 2 Teachers' constituencies)!” — Gyanesh Kumar