Karnataka bypoll results live | People rejected 'corrupt, selfish' parties, says BJP

The bypolls were held to fill the vacancies caused by the disqualification of 17 rebel Congress and JD(S) MLAs

December 09, 2019 07:20 am | Updated December 11, 2019 08:53 am IST

BJP activists celebrate Anand Singh's victory in Vijayanagara constituency outside the counting centre in Ballari on December 9, 2019.

BJP activists celebrate Anand Singh's victory in Vijayanagara constituency outside the counting centre in Ballari on December 9, 2019.

The counting of votes polled in the December 5 bypolls in Karnataka began at 8 a.m. in 11 centres and all the results were most likely to be out by the afternoon. The results in the 15 Assembly constituencies will decide the future of the four-month-old B.S. Yedyurappa-led BJP government.

Also read | Karnataka bypolls: six key questions and possible scenarios

The bypolls were held to fill the vacancies caused by the disqualification of 17 rebel Congress and JD(S) MLAs, whose revolt led to collapse of the H.D. Kumaraswamy-led coalition government in July and paved the way for BJP to come to power. Twelve of the 15 seats were held by the Congress and three by JD(S). Bypolls were not held in two seats due to pending litigations in High Court.

The outcome of the bypoll, which recorded 67.91% polling, is crucial for BJP, which needs to win at least six seats to remain in majority. As of now, the BJP has 105 MLAs (including an independent), the Congress 66 and the JD(S) 34. Besides, there is one BSP member, a nominated MLA and the Speaker.

All arrangements, including security, have been made for the counting of votes. Prohibitory orders restricting assembly of people around the counting centre and activities that could disturb law and order have been clamped, police said.

Here are the updates:

8.15 pm

 

Sharath Bachegowda emerges triumphant in Hosakote

Expelled from the BJP ahead of the December 5 bypolls, rebel Sharath Bachegowda has had the last laugh by winning as an independent from Hosakote assembly segment against the saffron party’s M T B Nagaraj.

Mr. Sharath, the 37-year-old son of BJP MP from Chikkaballapura B N Bache Gowda, sprang a surprise by winning by a margin of 11,486 votes against Mr. Nagaraj, who was in the Congress previously and joined the BJP after resigning his assembly membership to contest the bypolls.

“This victory is not mine but the victory of the people of Hosakote, our leaders and workers who toiled hard day and night,” a jubilant Mr. Sharath told reporters at Hosakote.

Narrating the challenges he faced, Mr. Sharath said it was a hard-earned victory.

“My election campaign was devoid of any star campaigners. It was purely the effort of our workers who stood by us all along. We had to face two national parties, the Congress and the BJP,” Mr. Sharath said.

About his future plans, he said the BJP may not require him as of now because it has got a majority on its own.

However, he will decide his future course of action after consulting his supporters and the voters of Hosakote.

8.10 pm

Karnataka rejected ‘corrupt, selfish’ parties by giving majority to us: BJP

The BJP on Monday took a dig at its rival Congress and JD(S), saying people of Karnataka have rejected outright those “who are selfish and corrupt” by handing over a resounding victory to the saffron party candidates in the assembly bypolls.

“Congratulations to CM B S Yediyurappa and Nalin Kateel and our karyakartas on BJP’s resounding victory in Karnataka bypolls. I thank people of Karnataka for their unwavering faith in BJP. Our government will continue to transform Karnataka under the guidance of PM,” BJP president Amit Shah tweeted.

Its working president J P Nadda said people have rejected outright those who are selfish and corrupt by giving a clear majority to the BJP.

“People had given mandate to the BJP even in the assembly polls and they have put their stamp of approval on it in these bypolls,” he said, asserting that voters have expressed their faith in the party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The ruling BJP on Monday swept the Assembly bypolls in Karnataka, winning 12 of the 15 seats to help the four-month-old Yediyurappa government retain majority.

 

6.30 pm

 

Field day for defectors as Karnataka voters back them in bypolls

Turncoats had a field day in the Karnataka Assembly by-elections to 15 segments as 11 of the total 13 of them in the fray after joining the BJP emerged victorious.

And now, ministerial berths also awaits them.

Only H Vishwanath (Hunsur) and M T B Nagaraj (Hoskote) lost as the BJP’s gamble to field the defectors from the Congress and JDS who helped them come to power paid off.

Ten were in the Congress previously and three in the JD(S) headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.

After they switched sides and joined the BJP, the party fielded them in the constituencies they had represented in their previous party.

The 11 winners are: Mahesh Kumatalli (Athani),Srimant Patil (Kagwad), Ramesh Jarkiholi (Gokak), A ShivaramHebbar (Yellapur), B C Patil (Hirekerur), Anand Singh(Vijayanagara), Dr K Sudhakar (Chikkaballapura), ByrathiBasavaraj (KR Pura), K Gopalaiah (Mahalakshmi Layout), Narayana Gowda (KR Pet) and S T Somashekhar (Yashwanthapura).

The BJP’s decision to field Arun Kumar Guththur in Ranebennur in place of disqualified MLA R Shankar, who too had joined the BJP, proved right as he defeated the Congress candidate and former speaker K B Koliwad.

Upbeat over the victory of a majority of turncoats, Hirekerur winning candidate B C Patil said, “They (Congress) had declared us disqualified based on the Supreme Court verdict but the voters made us qualified again.”

BJP state chief Nalin Kumar Kateel too expressed similar views.

“Siddaramaiah (Congress) and H D Kumaraswamy (JDS) had created a narrative of ‘disqualified MLAs’ to discredit our candidates but today the Congress and the JD(S) have been disqualified in the people’s court which has given the verdict of ‘Qualified’ to our candidates,” Kateel said.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said: “We had given assurance to all the disqualified MLAs that they will be made ministers. So, there is no question of backtracking from what we promised them. We will make them ministers and give them responsibility to grow our party base in their area.”

The ruling BJP swept the by-elections winning 12 of the total 15 seats, helping the four-month-old B S Yediyurappa government to retain majority in the Assembly.

5.00 pm

Karnataka Congress chief quits over poor show

Congress State president Dinesh Gundu Rao announced his resignation, taking moral responsibility for the party’s poor show in the Karnataka Assembly bypolls.

The Congress, which held 12 of the 15 seats where by-elections were held on December 5, won only two, in a huge set-back to the Opposition party.

In sharp contrast, the ruling BJP turned in a stellar performance, bagging 12 seats.

“Today I have decided to resign from this post. I have sent my resignation to our party [Interim] president Sonia Gandhi,” Mr. Rao told reporters at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office.

The announcement came minutes after Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah announced his resignation from his post.

Mr. Rao said he arrived at a conclusion soon after the exit poll results on December 5 showed landslide victory for the BJP in the by-elections.

“I too owe a lot of moral and political responsibility. I had discussed with our Delhi based leaders about the poor prospects of our party in the byelection and that if something goes awry, I will have to take a decision accordingly,” Mr. Rao said. — PTI

4.40 pm

BJP secures comfortable majority in the Karnataka Assembly, winning 12 out of 15 seats in the bypolls; Congress wins 2, independent 1: poll officials

4.00 p.m.

Siddaramaiah quits as CLP leader

Karnataka Congress legislative party leader Siddaramaiah announces his resignation from the post. In a letter addressed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, he expresses his sincere regrets for “not being able to give satisfactory results in the recently concluded by-elections held to Karnataka Legislative Assembly”.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Dinesh Gundu Rao also resigns owning moral responsibility for the party's poor show in by-elections.

1.10 pm

People taught Congress a lesson: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Congress of stealing people’s mandate in Karnataka through back door, contending that the party has been taught a lesson in the just-concluded bypolls.

Addressing a poll meeting in Jharkhand's Barhi, he said those that said the BJP has limited influence in southern part of the country were punished by the people in a democratic way.

“The Congress and its allies subverted the mandate in Karnataka, stabbed it in the back These parties will now have to bite the dust,” he asserted.

“The bypolls results today showed that the voters have ensured that the Congress and the JD(S) don’t get to stab them in the back again,” he added.

12.30 pm

Decisive victory, says CM Yediyurappa

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa says victory is decisive and clear, mostly with big margins.

"At least now opposition should help us give the State a stable government. My focus is now on giving a stable and good government over the next three and a half years," he said, speaking to reporters.

"I would rather not waste time criticising opposition," said Mr. Yediyurappa. He assured that the party will keep its promise to disqualified legislators. "I am going to Delhi in the next 2-3 days to discuss the issue," he said.

11.55 am

BJP bags Yellapur seat in Assembly byelections

BJP candidate from Yellapur Arabail Shivaram Hebbar became one of the first candidates to register a victory in the bypolls to 15 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka.

Mr. Hebbar defeated Congress’ Bhimanna Naik by a margin of over 31,000 votes, poll officials said, adding that official announcement was awaited.

A two-time Congress MLA from Yellapur, Mr. Hebbar was among 13 disqualified MLA whom the BJP had given ticket to contest the bypoll as party candidate. - PTI

11.35 am

BJP wrests KR Pete from JD(S)

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won the crucial byelection to KR Pete Assembly segment in the district with its candidate K.C. Narayana Gowda, the disqualified MLA, defeating his closest contender B.L. Devaraj of the Janata Dal (Secular) by over 9,700 votes.

This is the first ever victory for the saffron party in Mandya district. The party had not won any Assembly or Lok Sabha elections so far.

Of the total votes of little over 1.62 lakh polled in December 5 by-election, Mr. Gowda has got around 66,000 votes. Mr. Devaraj has secured over 56,300 votes and veteran Congress person K.B. Chandrashekar recieved around 41,000 votes.

The election was crucial for all the three key candidates as it was considered as 'do-or-die' poll battle for them.

All the four remaining candidates (H.M. Chandregowda of Uttama Prajakeeya Party (UPP), H.D. Revanna of Purvanchal Mahapanchayat, K.N. Shankaregowda from Karnataka Rashtra Samithi (KRS) and Devegowda, an Independent) have lost their deposits.

According to political observers, the polarization of smaller castes, AHINDA communities and minorities helped the BJP to wrest the seat from the JD(S), which has its strong workers base across the district. - M.T. Shiva Kumar

11.15 am

BJP appears headed for a splendid show

The ruling BJP appeared headed for a splendid show, leading in 11 out of 15 Assembly constituencies that went for the bypolls.

The BJP needs to win at least six of those 15 seats to remain in a majority in the assembly.

In the previous elections, the Congress had won in 12 of those 15 seats and the JD(S) of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, the remaining three.

Trends available so far showed Congress leading in two (Shivajinagar and Hunsur), while JD(S) and an independent candidate were ahead in Yeshwanthpura and Hoskote constituencies respectively.

BJP candidate Narayana Gowda has taken a lead in KR Pete against Congress’ B.L. Devaraj, who was ahead in the initial rounds.

If Mr. Gowda wins, this will be Amit Shah-led party’s first ever victory in the Vokkaliga bastion of Mandya district, dominated by Congress and JD(S) for decades.

Marching towards victory, BJP’s Shivaram Hebbar was leading against Bhimanna Naik of Congress in Yellapur. Also, Gopalaiah of BJP was leading in Mahalakshmi Layout by a margin of over 15,000 votes against Girish K Nashi of JD(S).

JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had extensively campaigned in Mahalakshmi Layout to defeat their former close confidant Gopalaiah, who joined BJP.

In Gokak that saw a battle between the Jarkiholi brothers, Ramesh Jarkiholi of BJP was ahead of his brother Lakhan from the Congress by a margin of over 12,000 votes.

Other BJP candidates who are leading are: Anand Singh (Vijayanagara), B.C. Patil (Hirekerur), Shrimant Patil (Kagwad), K. Sudhakar (Chikkaballapura), Mahesh Kumthalli (Athani), Arun Kumar Guttur (Ranebennur), and Byrathi Basavaraj (KR Puram).

Congress nominees H.P. Manjunath (Hunsur) and Rizwan Arshad (Shivajinagar) were leading by a margin of over 19,300 and 2,400 votes respectively at last count, while JD(S)’ Javarayi Gowda was ahead by a wafer-thin margin in Yeshwanthpura.

Supporters of Congress candidate in Shivajinagar Rizwan Arshad celebrate near Mount Carmel college in Bengaluru

Supporters of Congress candidate in Shivajinagar Rizwan Arshad celebrate near Mount Carmel college in Bengaluru

 

BJP’s rebel and independent candidate Sharath Bachegowda, son of Chikkaballapura BJP Lok Sabha member B.N. Bachegowda, was leading ahead of the party’s official candidate MTB Nagaraj in Hoskote. After he refused to bow out of the electoral race, the BJP had expelled Sharath from the party.

Among 13 disqualified legislators fielded by the BJP as party candidates for the bypolls, 10 are maintaining a lead against their opponent candidates.

BJP had fielded 13 of the 16 disqualified legislators, who had been admitted into the party after the Supreme Court allowed them to contest the bypolls, as its candidates from their respective constituencies from where they had won in the 2018 assembly elections on Congress and JD(S) tickets. - PTI

11.10 am

Siddaramaiah should resign as leader of opposition: Minister

Revenue Minister R. Ashoka says that the people's mandate shows that Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar's decision on disqualifying defecting MLAs was wrong.

He says former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should resign from the post of the Leader of Opposition for making irresponsible statements on the stability of the government.

Mr. Ashoka also told reporters that the JD(S) has been wiped out and has become irrelevant.

People have gone beyond considerations of caste: Yediyurappa's son

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa's son B.Y. Vijayendra says that the party's performance in KR Pete is a clear indication of the will of the people of the region who have gone "beyond considerations of caste" and supported the BJP.

Mr. Vijayendra had extensively campaigned here, which is a Vokkaliga and JD(S) heartland.

11.05 am

Tight race in Yeshvanthapura

In Yeshvanthapura, JD(S) wins back a narrow lead from the BJP candidate. T.N. Javarayi Gowda is leading over S.T. Somashekar by a margin of 96 votes.

11 am

 

BJP candidate claims victory in Mahalakshmi Layout

K. Gopalaiah, disqualified MLA and BJP candidate from Mahalakshmi Layout, has a comfortable lead of nearly 25,000 votes. He has declared victory and thanked the people, even as counting is still on.

"This is a lesson for the leaders who were derogatorily calling me anarha (disqualified) to be an MLA. The people have resoundingly shown them that I am qualified to be an MLA. I will work for the development of the constituency," he said.

10.55 am

H.P. Manjunath thanks the people for impending victory

H.P. Manjunath, the Congress candidate from Hunsur who has a comfortable lead and is all set to win, thanked the people for supporting him.

He said that the BJP candidate A.H. Vishwanath, who is trailing by a large margin, has to apologise to the people of Hunsur for defecting and for keeping the people of the taluk in the dark.

"There is no better way to atone than repentance. Though he is defeated, he is still a key leader in the ruling party. He should help in the taluk's development and atone for his mistake," said Mr. Manjunath.

10.50 am

Minor hiccups in Athani counting centre

Announcement of the leads in the Athani counting centre has been delayed because the observers insisted on counter-signing the lead sheets of the constituency.

Though counting was going on smoothly, the announcement of the leads has been slow. The Returning Officer was signing the chits initially, but since the observer wanted to sign them, the announcement was delayed, said an officer in charge of the counting.

10.40 am

JD(S) down to zero leads in the bypolls

In Yeshwanthpura, BJP's nominee takes a slender lead of around 60 votes over the JD(S) candidate Javarayi Gowda.

This means JD(S) has lost its lead in both KR Pete and Yeshwanthpura, and is down to zero leads.

However, the Krishnarajpete constituency in Mandya district is proving to be a cliffhanger, with a slender margin fluctuating between JD(S) and BJP.

10.35 am

BJP set to sweep all seats in north Karnataka

BJP is leading in all six seats in North Karnataka — Gokak, Athani and Kagawad in Belagablvi district, Hirekerur and Ranebennur in Haveri district and Vijayanagara in Ballari district. In all these six seats, the Lingayat community plays a key role.

Congress was tipped off to win in two of these seats (Kagawad and Ranebennur).

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa had appealed to the Veershaiva-Lingayat community, to which he belongs to, that not a single vote from the community should go elsewhere as it was the rebels who had made him the Chief Minister. BJP sources said this appeal, which had come under criticism and even resulted in the filing of a case against him by the Election Commission, worked in favour of the BJP and helped in the consolidation of the Lingayat votes.

Sad that people support defections: DK Shivakumar

Senior Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar spoke to media persons and said the party accepts the will of the people.

"It is sad that the people have expressed their support for defections. This means defections can happen from any party to any party in future, not just to BJP. People have said that is not an issue for them," he said.

10.25 am

BJP takes early lead in Karnataka Assembly bypolls

The ruling BJP has taken an early lead in 10 out of 15 Assembly constituencies that went for bypolls on December 5, as the counting of votes was taken up on Monday, election officials said.

Initial trends showed the Congress and JD(S) were ahead in two seats, while independent candidate was maintaining lead in Hoskote.

BJP candidates who are leading are: Shivaram Hebbar (Yellapur), Anand Singh (Vijayanagara), Ramesh Jarkiholi (Gokak), B C Patil (Hirekerur), Shrimant Patil (Kagwad), K Sudhakar (Chikkaballapura), Mahesh Kumthalli (Athani), Arun Kumar Guttur (Ranebennur), Gopalaiah (Mahalakshmi Layout) and Byrathi Basavaraj (K R Puram).

Congress nominees H.P. Manjunath (Hunsur) and Rizwan Arshad (Shivajinagar) were leading; JD(S)’ B L Devaraj and Javarayi Gowda were ahead in KR Pete and Yeshwanthpura respectively.

BJP’s rebel and independent candidate Sharath Bachegowda, son of Chikkaballapura Lok Sabha member B.N. Bachegowda, was leading ahead of party’s official candidate MTB Nagaraj in Hoskote. - PTI

10.20 am

Two-time legislator Vatal Nagaraj puts up a poor performance

Two-time legislator Vatal Nagaraj, known for his pro-Kannada stance, has polled a mere 33 votes. He is contesting in Shivajinagar as the nominee of his party Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha.

Incidentally, NOTA has received 188 votes in the constituency that was marred by controversies of Ponzi scam involving IMA in which more than 10,000 investors have lost their deposits. The Ponzi scam was weighing heavily on the constituency in the run-up to elections.

10.15 am

Counting suspended in Athani constituency

Counting of votes resumed after a delay of few minutes in the Athani Assembly constituency. The counting was suspended after the third round due to a technical issue.

Deputy Commissioner S.B. Bommanahalli said officers were looking into it, and the issue was resolved in a timely manner.

10.10 am

BJP candidate leads in KR Pete

BJP candiate K.C. Narayana Gowda continues to lead his contenders with around 23,300 votes in KR Pete Assembly segment after the completion of the fifth round of counting.

B.L. Devaraj of the JD(S) has polled around 21,900 votes, while K.B. Chandrashekar of Congress has secured around 16,000 votes.

Mr. Gowda is a disqualified MLA who has been residing in Mumbai as he runs hotels there. Mr. Devaraj is an advocate, while Mr. Chandrashekar is a former Congress MLA.

Incidentally, KR Pete Assembly constituency is also the birth place of Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who belongs to Bookanakere. He had said during campaign that KR Pete was his Janmabhoomi and Shikaripura, from where he is elected as Karmabhoomi, which had received sharp criticism.

10.05 am

Glimpses from the counting centre in Ballari

Meanwhile, in Yellapur...

Disqualified MLA contesting on BJP ticket Shivaram Hebbar said that his "march towards victory" is a vindication of voters' faith in him and the Bharatiya Janata Party. He said it shows people have not honoured the Speaker's disqualification.

Mr. Hebbar is leading at Yellapur constituency.

Mr. Hebbar, who is maintaining a healthy lead, said that people have voted for a stable government under the leadership of B.S. Yediyurappa.

"We will give a stable government for the next three-and-a-half years working for the all round development of the State," he told media persons.

10 am

Delay in counting in KR Puram

There has been a delay in counting of votes for K.R. Puram Assembly constituency. It took over an hour to finish counting the postal votes here, due to which counting agents had a verbal altercation with the Returning Officer.

Counting has stopped for now and is expected to recommence soon. Meanwhile, BBMP Commissioner and District Election Officer said they were on their way to the counting centre.

9.55 am

BJP shows early lead in 10 of 15 constituencies

According to the ECI website, the BJP has an early lead in 10 of the 15 constituencies. Congress and JD(S) are leading in two constituencies each, and an independent candidate is leading in one constituency.

9.52 am

In Hunsur:

In Hunsur, BJP candidate A.H. Vishwanath continues to trail after the seventh round by polling around 18,700 votes against Congress party's H.P. Manjunath. Mr. Manjunath is leading by securing around 30,400 votes.

JD(S) candidate Mr. Somashekar remains in the third spot with around 14,800 votes.

9.45 am

BJP leads in 9 constituencies

According to the ECI website, the BJP has an early lead in nine of the 15 constituencies. Congress and JD(S) are leading in two constituencies each, and an independent is leading in one constituency.

The status is awaited for one constituency.

9.40 am

In Ranibennur:

In Ranibennur Assembly constituency of Haveri district, former Speaker of Legislative Assembly and Congress candidate K.B. Koliwad is trailing against the BJP candidate  Arunakumar by around 4,000 votes. Mr. Arunakumar bagged over 22,000 votes against 18,000 polled by Mr. Koliwad in the fifth round.

In Hoskote:

Independent candidate Sharath Bachegowda has extended lead over his nearest rival (MTB) Nagaraj at the end of fourth round. He has polled around 17,300 votes against Mr. Nagaraj, who has polled around 10,300 votes. Congress candidate Padmavathy Suresh has polled over 7,800 votes.

9.30 am

BJP leads in 7 constituencies

According to the ECI website, the BJP has an early lead in seven of the 15 constituencies. Congress and JD(S) are leading in two constituencies each, and an independent is leading in one constituency.

The status is not known for three constituencies.

In Hunsur:

BJP candidate A.H. Vishwanath continues to trail after fourth round by polling around 11,600 votes against Congress' H.P. Manjunath, who is leading after securing around 17,000 votes. JD (S) candidate Somashekar is at the third position with around 8,200 votes.

In Vijayanagara:

After the fourth round of counting in Vijayanagara, BJP candidate Anand Singh has recieved around 18,300 votes followed by Venkatarao Ghorpade of Congress ( around 14,700 votes). JD(S) candidate has polled about 870 votes. As many as 450 votes were for NOTA.

9.25 am

Among the prominent constituencies in which BJP has fielded candidates who had earlier defected and were disqualified includes Yeshwanathpura (S.T. Somashekar), Hunsur (from which former JD(S) State unit president A.H. Vishwanath is seeking re-election), Hoskote (from which former Minister (MTB) N. Nagaraju is seeking to win for the fourth time) and K.R. Pete from which two-time former legislator K.C. Narayan Gowda is seeking re-election.

In Hunsur:

After round three, A.H. Vishwanath of the BJP continues to trail. H.P. Manjunath has polled around 12,300 votes against around 8,300 by Vishwanath. JD(S) candidate Somashekar is in the third place, having polled around 6,300 votes after the third round.

In Hirekerur:

Disqualified MLA B.C. Patil, who has been fielded by BJP in Hirekerur, is leading over Congress candidate Bannikod Hanumantappa.

In Ranibennur:

Meanwhile, in Ranibennur, Arun Kumar Guttur from BJP is leading over K.B. Koliwad from Congress by under 900 votes. This is one of the two seats where BJP has not fielded a disqualified MLA.

9.20 am

In Hoskote, independent candidate leads

The only independent candidate currently leading in the counting is BJP rebel and Independent candidate Sharath Bachwgowda. He is leading at Hoskote Assembly constituency with a total of around 8,700 votes at the end of second round.

Sharath Bachegowda, son of BJP MP from Chikkaballapur B.N. Bachegowda, was expelled by BJP for going against the party's decision to field Mr. Nagaraju, who defected from Congress leading to his disqualification. The run-up to polls had seen acrimonious personal attacks.

Mr. Bachegowda nearest rival and BJP candidate (MTB) N. Nagraju has polled around 4,900 votes. Congress candidate Padmvathy Suresh, wife of Hebbal legislator Byrathi Suresh is also trailing with total votes of over 3,000.

9.10 am

In one of the interesting poll battle grounds in southern Karnataka, Chikkaballapura Assembly constituency is seeing two-time MLA and disqualified legislator K. Sudhakar leading by over 5,400 votes.

Another disqualified legislator Arabail Shivaram Hebbar is leading by over 2,200 votes at Yellapura Assembly constituency

In Hunsur:

 H.P. Manjunath of the Congress is ahead of  A.H. Vishwanath of the BJP after the second round of counting in Hunsur constituency. Mr. Manjunath has over 8,400 votes against 5,400 polled by Vishwanath.

In Vijayanagara:

After the second round of counting in Vijayanagara constituency in Ballari district, BJP candidate Anand Singh, who polled around 9,300 votes, is leading over his immediate rival Venkatarao Ghorpade of Congress. Mr. Ghorpade polled around 6,000 votes.

9 am

In Mahalakshmi layout:

BJP candidate and disqualified MLA K. Gopalaiah is leading in the Mahalakshmi Layout constituency by over 2,300 votes over JD(S) candidate Girish Nashi. Congress candidate M. Shivaraju is trailing in the third place.

In KR Puram:

Disqualified MLA B.A. Basavaraj, now a BJP candidate from K.R. Puram, is leading over Congress candidate by around 1,600 votes.

In Vijayanagara:

After the first round of counting in Vijayanagara constituency in Ballari district, BJP candidate Anand Singh is leading by over 1,500 votes over his immediate rival Venkatarao Ghorpade who has polled around 3,000 votes. JD(S) candidates N.M. Nabi is trailing.

8.50 am

In Shivajinagar:

Rizwan Arshad from Congress is leading in Shivajinagar while BJP candidate M. Sharavana is trailing. Shivajinagar constituency saw a voter turnout of 48.05% and was among one of those with the lowest turnouts.

In KR Pete:

Meanwhile, in Krishna Raja Pete constituency, an interesting trend is noticed. Even after the completion of the second round of counting (around 18,100 votes), not even a single vote has been polled for NOTA, says our correspondent.

8.40 am

In Chikkaballapur:

Dr. K. Sudhakar, a disqualified MLA contesting from BJP, has a slim early lead of under 1,000 votes over JD(S)'s N. Radhakrishnan

In KR Pete:

After the completion of the counting of votes in the second round, the JD(S) candidate is ahead of two other candidates with over 7,000 votes. The votes secured by K.C. Narayan Gowda is over 6,200, while K.B. Chandrashekar has polled over 4,400 votes.

A total of seven candidates were in the fray. The constituency was once the citadel of Congress, and since last two Assembly elections the JD(S) has established hold on it.

8.30 am

The elections had taken place at Yellapur, Ranebennur, Vijayanagar, Yashwanthapur, Mahalakshmi Layout, Chikkaballapura, KR Puram, Shivajinagar, KR Pete, Hunsur, Athani, Kagwad, Gokak, Hirekerur and Hoskote.

In KR Pete:

Two-time legislator from Krishna Raja Pete in the Vokkaliga heartland of Mandya K.C. Narayan Gowda, who was disqualified and is seeking re-election, is trailing behind the Janata Dal Secular candidate Devaraj.

B.L. Devaraj of the JD(S) is leading by 1,312 votes at 8.30 a.m. with 3,976 votes. K.B. Chandrashekar of the Congress (over 2,200 votes) and K.C. Narayana Gowda of the BJP (Over 2,600) were in the next two positions.

KR Pete with a total voter turnout of about 80.52% saw the third-highest voter turnout among the 15 Assembly constituencies that went for bypolls on December 5.

8.15 am

Counting begins on time

The counting for the crucial bypolls in Karnataka to 15 Assembly constituencies began at 8 a.m. on Monday. The process began with the opening and sorting of postal ballots.

The bypolls were necessitated by the disqualification of 17 MLAs — 14 Congress and three JDS. Their resignations and disqualification led to the collapse of the H.D. Kumaraswamy-led coalition government in July and paved the way Mr. Mr. Yediyurappa to take the reins. Thirteen of them are now in fray on BJP ticket.

Of the 15 seats going to polls 12 were held by the Congress and three by JDS. Two are yet to go to polls owing to pending cases related to electoral malpractice.

 

Leaders seek divine intervention

On the eve of counting of votes in 15 seats, leaders visited temples and Maths seeking divine intervention.

Mr. Yediyurappa went to Dharmasthala and sought the blessings of Lord Manjunatha. Amid chanting of hymns, Yediyurappa performed a special puja in the temple for a BJP victory in the polls and successful completion of his tenure in the next three-and-a-half years. At the end of the rituals, the priest tied a turban around his head.

The 86-year-old JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H,D, Deve Gowda performed puja at Sai Baba temple at Shirdi. He was accompanied by the party MLC T.A. Sharavana. Sporting a white colour kurta and dhoti with an angavastram around his neck, the octogenarian prayed for the victory of his party candidates in the election.

Karnataka Rural Development Minister K.S. Eshwarappa too visited the Veereshwara Punyashrama at Gadag and performed special prayers.

 

We are confident of winning all 15 seats: Yediyurappa

Several BJP leaders in Karnataka, including Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, on Saturday exuded confidence about the partys prospects of winning the December 5 bypolls to 15 assembly seats, the outcome of which will have a bearing on the government led by him.

The results will be declared on December 9.

“I will not speak anything about the bypoll results now.

You will get to know on December 9. We will win with a lead of 25,000-30,000 votes in most of the constituencies and according to our estimate, we are confident of winning all the 15 seats,” Yediyurappa told reporters.

Speaking to reporters in Magadi, Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwathnarayan said it was a ‘known fact’ that BJP would win the maximum number of seats and that would be officially known on December 9.

With exit polls by local news channels and agencies predicting BJP getting a clear majority winning 9-12 of the 15 seats, the ruling party leaders are confident the government would complete its term.

 

 

Will it be curtains to saga of political upheavals?

Not only is the stability of the B.S. Yediyurappa-led BJP government in question, but also the political survival of 13 disqualified legislators who are now contesting on the BJP symbol. Also, the performance of the Congress in the bypolls would be a reflection on former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s leadership.

The BJP with a strength of 105 legislators (and an Independent) enjoys a majority and requires to win a minimum of six seats out of 15 Assembly constituencies. The elections to Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Maski Assembly constituencies have been deferred owing to election-related petitions.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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