Bengaluru: Congress’ decisive victory in legislative council elections Thursday has altered numbers in their favour in the Upper House, reviving the possibility of action on two contentious laws pass by the previous BJP govt — the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, and the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022.With the party winning five of the seven council seats and securing a clear majority, functionaries say the govt is now better placed to pursue long-pending promises that were politically difficult when the opposition held greater sway over the council.The repeal of the laws was part of Congress’ 2023 election manifesto and while discussions between the govt and the law department on repealing the laws have been on, Thursday’s result has strengthened the party’s ability to translate those deliberations into legislation.“We were waiting for a clear majority in both Houses,” an MLC said, adding that the BJP-JD(S) alliance would no longer be able to block the party’s legislative agenda.
