Four Indian States Hold Biennial Legislative Council Elections
Voters in Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh cast ballots on October 23 for Legislative Council seats in graduates and teachers constituencies.
The Election Commission of India conducted biennial Legislative Council elections on October 23, 2026, to fill 28 vacancies across Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. Polling for the graduates and teachers constituencies ran from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with vote counting scheduled for October 27 and the final process expected to conclude by October 31.
In Maharashtra, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari cast his vote in the Nagpur Division Graduates' Constituency, expressing confidence that BJP candidate Sudhakar Rao Kohale would win by an overwhelming majority. Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol also voted in Pune as the Mahayuti alliance faced off against the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
In Karnataka, the ruling Congress party competed against a coalition of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal (Secular). Chief Minister DK Shivakumar campaigned for Congress candidate Mohan Limbikai in the West Graduates' Constituency, where incumbent BJP member SV Sankanur is seeking a third term. Meanwhile, NDA candidate KM Suresh expressed confidence in the BJP-JD(S) alliance for the South-East Graduates' seat. While the results are not expected to threaten the state government's stability, a clash between Congress and BJP workers was reported near a polling station at Ambedkar College in Bengaluru during the Teachers' constituency vote.
