In Karnataka, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's move to nominate his aide Vinay Karthik for a Legislative Council seat has heightened competition for the seventh seat in the upcoming elections on June 18. Congress is poised to win four of the seven available seats, while the BJP is expected to secure two. The dynamics shift as the presence of expelled and independent MLAs becomes crucial in determining the outcome of the seventh seat. Congress currently holds 134 seats, which allows them to elect four candidates with a surplus of 22 votes. However, to secure the seventh seat, they require an additional six votes. The JD(S), considering nominating former lawmaker BM Farooq, faces a significant challenge, as they would need to gather 10 more votes than their current tally of 18. Even with potential support from the BJP and independent MLAs, JD(S) risks falling short due to possible cross-voting. The political maneuvering ahead of the elections indicates a tense battle for the crucial seat.