Disqualification Drama: Vinay Kulkarni's Political Downfall

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has officially disqualified Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni after he was convicted in the murder case of BJP leader Yogeshgouda Goudar. Kulkarni, who is currently serving life imprisonment, was found guilty by the LXXXI Additional City Civil & Sessions Judge in Bengaluru.

The Assembly seat for Dharwad, which Kulkarni represented, is now vacant due to the conviction on April 15, 2026. The notification cited the provisions of Article 191(1)(e) of the Constitution and Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, stating that his disqualification will last six years after release unless his conviction is overturned.

Bypolls were already scheduled for April 9 to fill two other Assembly seats left vacant by deceased MLAs, with results set for May 4. Kulkarni, accused of masterminding Goudar's murder in June 2016, was arrested in 2020 by the CBI. His bail was revoked by the Supreme Court in 2025 following allegations of witness tampering, though it was reinstated in February 2026.

(With inputs from agencies.)