In the 49 reserved constituencies across the State, it has been a tough battle between the two major national parties, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC).
Of these constituencies reserved for SC/ST candidates, they have won 20 seats each. In the remaining, JD(S) has won seven seats while the Bahujan Samaj Party has bagged one seat in Kollegal and another seat — Mulbagal — went to an independent candidate.
In close to half of these constituencies, candidates who had won in the previous elections in 2013, have won again. This is the prevalent trend in at least 20 constituencies, including C.V. Raman Nagar, Anekal, Bangarpet, Challakere and Chincholi, to name a few.
Victory by thin margins
However, for a majority of these candidates, victory has come with reduced margins.
In case of Congress candidate B. Shivanna, who won from Anekal Assembly, the margin came down to 8,627 votes this time from 40,182 votes in 2013.
Priyank Kharge had won Chittapur Assembly constituency by a huge margin of 31,191 in 2013. This time, the margin was a mere 4,393 votes.
BJP leaders fare better
BJP candidates have won with far better margins. In fact, in some places where the BJP has won, the margins have drastically increased.
Take the case of Aravind Limbavali in Mahadevapura constituency. While in the previous election, he had won by a margin of 6,149 votes, this time, he has won by a margin of 17,784 votes.
In Sullia constituency, BJP leader Angara S. has won by a margin of 26,068 votes while in the previous election, his margin was a mere 1,373 votes.
By electing H. Nagesh, Mulbagal, an SC reserved constituency, has voted in favour of an independent candidate for the second consecutive time. However, reflecting the overall trend, there was a tough contest among all the candidates. Mr. Nagesh has won by a margin of 6,799 votes. The incumbent G. Manjunatha, also an independent, had won the 2013 Assembly election by a margin of 33,734 votes.
Congress wrests KGF
In Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), Congress leader and Kolar MP K.H. Muniyappa’s daughter Roopakala M. Shashidhar, won by a margin of 40,827 votes. She defeated BJP candidate Ashwini Sampangi, BJP leader Y Sampangi’s daughter. Congress has seen victory in this seat after five decades.
