The Congress wrested the Legislative Council seat in the Mysore-Chamarajanagar local body constituency from the BJP as its candidate R. Dharmasena was declared elected on Monday.
The bypoll to the council seat was held on Thursday and was necessitated following the resignation of the then BJP MLC K.R. Mallikarjunappa. He quit the party in March and joined the KJP as he was a staunch follower of the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.
Mr. Dharmasena secured 3,779 votes and defeated U.S. Shekar of the KJP who secured 2,611 votes, the margin of victory being 1168 votes. In all, 6953 voters – all elected representatives from the various local bodies in the Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts – had exercised their franchise. As many as 487 votes were declared invalid.
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The JD (S) had not fielded any candidate against the KJP candidate and had extended full support to him with the objective of thwarting the Congress but it failed.
Mr. Dharamsena said his victory was an affirmation of the policies of the Congress and he would strive for all round development of the rural hinterland.