When R. Manjunatha, who had contested from Dasarahalli constituency on a Janata Dal (Secular) ticket, realised that he had defeated the incumbent BJP MLA S. Muniraju, he couldn’t quite believe it.
In the previous BBMP elections, he had contested from Mallasandra ward but lost by a margin of just 300 votes to a BJP candidate. Tuesday’s victory was all the more sweeter as this time he defeated a two-time MLA by over 10,500 votes.
“This is the first time I am contesting Assembly elections. I am happy that people have given their mandate in favour of me. I had a strong feeling that I would win this election. People in my constituency were fed up,” said R. Manjunatha.
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Dasarahalli saw a voter turnout of only 48.03%. There were 30 rounds of counting, and for some time it looked like Muniraju was going to win. His supporters were unaware of that the tide had turned. Many had gathered outside the gate of Maharani's College where the counting was taking place shouting pro-BJP slogans. When the MLA realised that he was losing, he left the centre.
“Manjunatha had joined the police department as a constable and left the job after becoming an ASI. He had worked as a gunman to former chief minister S.M. Krishna. Despite losing the BBMP elections, he managed to get the support of people in the constituency,” said a JD(S) supporter.