Opinion | MLC Polls: NDA Edges Ahead, Congress Slips, But The Real Story Is Behind The Numbers

Oct 29, 2026 16:47 pm IST

The results of the Legislative Council elections for 28 seats across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka have set off a fresh war of words between the BJP and the Congress. The Prime Minister used the outcome to take a swipe at the Congress, mocking its "SIR/Vote Chori" campaign and pointing out that the party struggled even in a ballot-paper election, never mind with EVMs. The Congress, which has long demanded a return to ballot papers, hit back by noting that the BJP lost seats in the Prime Minister's own Varanasi and in Nagpur, the headquarters of the RSS.Beyond the rhetoric, the numbers tell a more layered story than either side admits.

Who Actually Votes in These Elections?

Before reading anything into the results, it is important to understand what kind of contest this is. MLC polls in graduates' and teachers' constituencies are hyper-local affairs. Not every citizen can vote. Only graduates and teachers are eligible, and they must register themselves, since an ordinary voter ID card is not enough. The registration process is cumbersome, so turnout is low and margins tend to be tight.

Only six states have a Legislative Council: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. These bodies have a fixed six-year term, with one-third of members retiring every two years, much like the Rajya Sabha.

The low turnout makes these elections a test of political management rather than a broad popular referendum. The party or candidate who registers the most voters usually wins. Over the years, muscle and money power have also grown in importance. Incumbent governments typically hold the edge because they command resources........

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