New Delhi: Karnataka has almost announced its verdict by bidding farewell to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). At present, BJP managed to get 65 seats while, Congress bagged at 131 seats and still leading on 1.
However, it is clear that who will form the government now. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai has reached Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation.
Although Congress led to the thumping victory in the Karnataka Assembly Polls, several prominent leaders in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to bag enough votes to continue their dominance.
Those Who Win
BY Vijayendra, son of BJP loyalist BS Yediyurappa was leading since morning and won with 81,015 with the margin of 11,008 votes. Vijayendra made his electoral debut with the seat that always voted his father and the Lingayat strongman to power.
BJP veteran Yediyurappa retired from the electoral politics but he had announced that his son Vijayendra will fight on his constituency. Yediyurappa’s elder son BY Raghavendra is already a Lok Sabha member from Shivamogga.
Basavraj Bommai
BJP leader and Chief Minister Bommai appeared in front of the camera to accept the defeat soon after the saffron party realized that Karnataka has slipped from its hands.
He said that the party will introspect where it lost and will definitely return during 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
Bommai who was contesting at Shiggaon constituency bagged over 54,000 votes, leaving the Congress candidate far behind.
Those who lost
CT Ravi
CT Ravi, a four time MLA from Chikmagalur was defeated this time by Congress candidate HD Thammaiah who was his one time aide. He was elected to Assembly in 2004, 2008, 2013 and 2018.
By defeating the BJP leader, Congress has recaptured the constituency, which used to its bastion earlier. In 1978, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi even won a Lok Sabha seat from this region.
Congress clean sweeps Chikmagalur by winning all 5 seats. As per experts, the anti-incumbency factor was well-use by Congress against BJP.
The BJP leader tweeted, “I accept my loss in the assembly elections. I wholeheartedly thank@BJP4Chikmagalur Karyakartas and the people of Chikkamagaluru for their support to me all these years. I congratulate all the winning candidates and wish them the very best in the coming days.”
BC Nagesh
Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh lost Tiptur Assembly seat in Tumkur district to Congress’ K Shadakshari by over 17,000 votes. Nagesh has been in the news constantly, mainly because of his stand on Hijab row and ‘saffronising books’.
Nagesh entered politics in early age by joining BJP’s youth wing; Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. He has also served as RSS worker and BJP secretary of Tumkur district.