By Elton Gomes
The race to form a government is intensifying in Karnataka, with the Congress and the JDS attempting to form a coalition government. The BJP has received 104 seats, eight short of forming a government on its own.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lost Chamundeshwari to Janta Dal Seculars’ (JDS) GT Devegowda but emerged victorious in Badami. Earlier in the day, BJP’s chief ministerial candidate B.S. Yeddyurappa and Devegowda took the lead in their respective constituencies, while Siddaramaiah was trailing.
JDS
The JDS’ chief ministerial candidate H.D. Kumaraswamy fared well in both constituencies. Kumaraswamy won by 22,636 votes in Ramanagara constituency and by 21,530 votes in Channapatna. In Ramanagara, Kumaraswamy received a total of 92,626 votes, while Congress candidate Iqbal Hussain received 69,990 votes. Kumaraswamy got 87,995 votes in Channapatna while BJP’s C.P. Yogeeshwara received 66,465 votes. Congress candidate H.M. Revanna got a total of 30,208 votes in Channapatna.
BJP
The BJP saw mixed reactions in terms of fielding scam-tainted Reddy brothers. Somashekara Reddy, contesting in Ballari City won by over 16,000 votes and Karunakara Reddy contesting in Harapanahalli won by around 10,000 votes.
BJP’s candidate against Siddaramaiah lost to the chief minister in Badami but registered a convincing win in Molakalmuru. Sriramulu’s uncle, Sanna Fakirappa lost Ballari Rural constituency by 3,000 votes. Further, Sriramulu’s nephew, T.H. Suresh Babu, lost Kampi constituency by approximately 5,000 votes.
Congress
Congress Working President Dinesh Gundu Rao was leading in Gandhi Nagar constituency by 6143 votes over his rival from JDS, V. Narayanasamy.
Karnataka’s water minister, M.B. Patil won in the Babaleshwar constituency for the second consecutive time. Patil received a total of 98,339 votes and BJPs Vijugouda Patil came in second place with 68,624 votes. Karnataka’s IT and tourism minister also managed to retain their seats after facing tough competition. Priyank Kharge, sitting IT minister, contested against BJP’s Valmiki Naik in Chittapur. Kharge received 69,700 votes, while Naik secured 65,307 votes.
Congress candidate and minister of agriculture for state Krishna Byre Gowda was up against BJP’s A. Ravi in Byatarayanapura, a Bengaluru suburb. Gowda defeated Ravi after securing 1.14 lakh votes.
Another Congress leader and Bengaluru Development and Town Planning Minister – KJ George – won in Sarvagnanagar. George defeated BJP’s M.N. Reddy who stood second after receiving 52,363 votes. JDS Anwar Sharieff and AAPs Prithvi Reddy also contested for the seat.
Siddaramaiah’s son wins Varuna
Widely termed as chief minister Siddharamaiah’s successor, Dr Yathindra Siddharamaiah recorded an easy win in Varuna constituency. Yathindra defeated Thotadappa Basavaraju of the BJP by more than 45,000 votes. Siddaramaiah vacated the Varuna seat so that Yathindra could contest elections.
Elton Gomes is a Staff Writer at Qrius