Karnataka Bypoll Results: Dominating BJP ends with 12 constituencies, Cong gets resignations

The BJP has swept the Karnataka bypolls winning in 12 of the 15 constituencies. The BJP won all three constituencies in the Belgaum district of the State. It broke into the JD(S) bastion in KR Pete and secured the party's first victory in Mandya district. Meanwhile, Congress candidate HP Manjunath won in Hunsur district. Opposition leader Siddaramaiah has resigned as CLP leader and as head of the Opposition. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President Dinesh Gundu Rao has also resigned.

The Karnataka bypolls 2019, in the end, resulted in a lopsided contest with BJP crushing their opponents under the juggernaut. It comes as a breath of fresh air and much needed shot in the arm for the saffron party that faced much flak after the debacle in Maharashtra where their run was ended by Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP alliance. B S Yediyurappa can now govern the administration with relief and also, a belief of stability.

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K'taka bypoll: Shah greets BSY over BJP's performance

BJP chief Amit Shah on Monday greeted Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddiyurappa for the saffron party's stellar performance in the December 5 Assembly bypolls to 15 constituencies. He assured that the ruling BJP will "continue to transform" the southern state under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance. BJP National General Secretary P Muralidhar Rao, blaming Congress leader Siddaramaiah for "the entire problem" in Karnataka, demanded that the former Chief Minister quit politics after the 'humiliating' performance.

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Karnataka bypolls: BJP sweeps by-polls

The ruling BJP on Monday swept the Assembly by-polls in Karnataka winning 12 of the 15 seats to help the four-month-old Yediyurappa government retain the majority, in a morale booster for the saffron party after its recent setback in Maharashtra.

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BJP finishes with 12 constituencies; here are the final results

BJP wins in 11 constituencies

"In the very first chance they get, this is how voters react to opportunist politics & stealing of mandate by rejected parties by coming together for the sake of power!

Karnataka Bypolls result proves that people won’t tolerate if someone tries to play with public mandate & wish!" tweets BJP leader and former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.

"Many congratulations to @BJP4India @BJP4Karnataka karyakartas, Hon @narendramodi ji, Hon @AmitShah ji and Yediyurappa ji. @BSYBJP" he said.

"I am taking responsibility andresigning from the post of party's Karnataka State President," says Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC)PresidentDinesh Gundu Rao announces resignation.

Following the lacklustre performance of Congress in the bypolls, Congress leader Siddaramaiah resigned as Congress Legislature Party leader, here on Monday.

Speaking at a news conference, he said that as CLP leader he had the responsibility to uphold democratic ideals. "In the interests of the party, I have resigned as Congress Legislature Party and will be sending my resignation letter to AICC president Sonia Gandhi," he said.

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Siddaramaiah quits as Opposition and CLP leader

"I respect the mandate given by the electorate in the #KarnatakaBypolls. I expected people to teach Karnataka BJP leaders a great lesson for orchestrating Operation Kamala.

I am taking the moral responsibility & resigning as Leader of CLP & Leader of Opposition," tweeted Siddaramaiah.

"I sincerely thankINCPresident Smt. Sonia Gandhi for having entrusted me with the responsibilities and I will continue my efforts as a loyal Congressman to strengthen the party," he said in his tweet.

BJP secures 10 seats in the state out of 15

"I have also resigned as leader of opposition in Karnataka Assembly," says Siddaramaiah.

Siddaramaiah submits his resignation

"As a leader of legislative party, I need to respect democracy. I have resigned as Congress Legislative Party leader. I have submitted my resignation to Sonia Gandhi Ji," Siddaramaiah said in a press meet.

Siddaramaiah likely to offer resignation, according to news report.The official resignation is yet to be sent. He will brief the media at 3:30 pm according to News18.

Dinesh Gundu Rao, too, is reportedly resignedas the president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.

The party has notaccepted their resignations yet, according to News18.

Teamwork by BJP leaders that resulted in the party winning: Kateel

People of Karnataka reposed faith in developmental works implemented by the Centre and the BJP government in Karnataka, BJP state unit president Nalin Kumar Kateel said on Monday.

Reacting to the media as the BJP inches towards a bypoll sweep, Kateel said it was teamwork by BJP leaders that resulted in the party winning the maximum number of seats.

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Dream come true for CM Yediyurappa with KR Pet victory

The BJP opened its account in Mandya district and created history, with the victory of Narayana Gowda, in the bypoll in KR Pet Assembly constituency. It has to be noted that Mandya is usually projected as a Vokkaliga bastion and a stronghold of the JD(S), with the Congress as the traditional rival.

Yediyurappa, who went in search of a career to Shikaripura, grew into a strong leader of Shikaripura taluk and Shivamogga district. Later, as an Opposition leader, he commanded clout across the state. However, in parts of the old Mysuru region, he is still seen as a Lingayat leader. This is his fourth stint as CM, even though his first and third stints did not last long. The other CM from Mandya district is SM Krishna.

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BJP secures 6 seats, secures regime in state

Ruling BJP on Monday retained majority in the Karnataka Assembly

The ruling BJP on Monday retained majority in the Karnataka Assembly when it bagged six seats in the byelections in which it was also leading in an equal number in other segments where counting is underway.

The BJP's good show in 12 seats comes as a morale booster for the saffron party after it's setback in Maharashtra.

The Congress, which won 12 of those 15 seats in the 2018 assembly polls, was leading only in two segments -- Hunsur and Shivajinagar, while its former ally the JD(S) trailed in all the 12 seats it contested.

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BJP leaders congratulate BSY over the victory of the party in the Karnataka bypolls.

"I am very thankful to the people of Karnataka for participating in the bypolls and trusting the BJP. He thanks the voters for giving the party another chance.
BSY said that this victory inspires them to build a better Karnataka for its people.
He also congratulated the winners and thanked the party workers and leaders for their hard work that lead to the success in the polls," says Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa in a tweet.

People in Karnataka taught Congress a lesson: PM 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 here, he said those that said the BJP has limited influence in the southern part of the country were punished by the people in a democratic way.

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The BJP wins all 12 constituencies

The BJP wins all 12 constituencies in which they were leading, according to multiple news reports. The Congress has one two seats and an independent candidate wins one seat in the Karnataka bypolls. The 4-month-old BJP government in the state may retain its power.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has assured that the government would complete the second phase of the metro by 2021 and the airport metro connectivity from the Outer Ring Road (ORR) by 2023.

After inaugurating the newly constructed Dr BR Ambedkar Bhavan in Yelahanka New Town on Sunday, the chief minister said: “We have estimated that the metro connectivity in the city will reach up to 300 kilometres by 2025.”

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Rebels who won bypolls will be made ministers: BSY

An elated Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday hailed the bypolls results and said the disqualified legislators who win will be made ministers in his Cabinet.

The BJP looks poised to win 12 out of the 15 constituencies that faced bypolls. By winning 12 seats, the BJP will ensure a comfortable majority in the 222-member Assembly with a tally of 117.

“We have won 12 out of the 15 seats," Yediyurappa announced. "They (disqualified MLAs) sacrificed for us. We’ve promised to make them ministers. There’s no question of going back on this promise,” Yediyurappa said. He said he will visit New Delhi in the coming days to hold talks with the party’s central leadership.

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"I am happy that people have given a very good verdict. Now, without any problem we can give a pro-people and a stable government," says Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa. (ANI)

Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda may join back the BJP

Hoskote constituency: Independent candidate Sharath Kumar BacheGowda mayto come back to the BJP, according to News18. BacheGowda was leading in the constituency, followed by Congress candidateN Nagaraju.

Final round of counting at Shivajinagar

Current status of results according to ECI

"The people of Karnataka had seen corruption and development lax during the Congress and its coalition's government. That is why they have voted for BJP," PM Narendra Modi said in Jharkhand.

"It is important to remember the results of Karnataka. This is a strong message to the leaders who are doing politics in the country. It is necessary to defeat every single candidate of Congress and its allies in Jharkhand as well," PM Narendra Modi said in Jharkhand ahead of the elections there.

"The people of Karnataka have made sure that the Congress or JDS will not be able to betray the people there.

This is a message to all the states of the country that if someone goes against the mandate, cheats the people, then the public will punish him as soon as he gets the first opportunity," the PM said.

BJP's Ramesh Jarakiholi wins from Gokak constituency. This is the party's first win in the constituency.

At present, the BJP has won Athani, Yellapur, Kagwad, Chikkaballapur, Krishnarajapura, Hirekerur, Ranebennur, Krishanrajpur, Mahalakshmi Layout and Gokak.

Meanwhile,Congress leader Rizwan Arshad wins in Bengaluru's Shivajinagar constituencyby a margin of 16,325 votes.

Official results are yet to be announced.

'No impact of BJP's tactics on Shivajinagar voters'

As Shivajinagar has erupted in celebrations as the Congress has taken the lead here, Congress leader Rizwan Arshad thanked the voters, saying they did not fall prey to the Bharatiya Janata Party's tactics and voted for a youngster would serve them instead.

Speaking to DH at Mount Carmel College, where counting is underway, he said "I have stood with people of this constituency through thick and thin, I have stood by then. I reside in this constituency and understand their challenges. That's the reason why people have given me an opportunity. They believe that a youngster like me can work for their welfare. Even as former Congress leader, along with the support of his muscle power tried to threaten me, it did not work." He has secured a total of 40, 481 votes so far.

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BJP opens account in KR Pet, Chikkaballapur

The BJP is on the brink of registering its first victory in the K R Pet constituency of the Mandya district, thus breaching the Vokkaliga-dominated region that the JD(S) had made its bastion for a long time.

BJP’s candidate Narayana Gowda, a disqualified legislator, was leading by a margin of nearly 10,000 votes against JD(S) candidate B L Devaraj. In the May 2018 polls, the JD(S) had swept the Mandya district by winning all eight Assembly constituencies, which was seen as the result of the consolidation of the Vokkaliga votes.

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The BS Yediyurappa-led BJP government in Karnataka officially wins the state by-poll battle, according to news reports. With the results declared in most of the constituencies, the BJP has won 6 out of 7 seats.B S Yediyurappa had required 6 to keep his seat as the CM.

Official announcement of results yet to be made.

BJP candidate Ramesh Jarkiholi supporters celebrating his win from Gokak assembly constituency. Its maiden win for BJP in the constituency.

Meanwhile, BJP may open account in Gokak with it's candidate Ramesh Jarkiholi continuing to maintain lead.
BJP wins all three assembly constituencies of Athani, Kagwad and Gokak in the district wherein bye-election were being held

"I thank the people of Shivajinagar as they have understood BJP's gameplan. They have given an opportunity to a youngster," says Rizwan Arshad of the Congress party.

KR Pet BJP candidate Narayana Gowda wins by a margin of 9,728 votes against JDS candidate B L Devaraj.
Congress candidate KB Chandrasekhar has been pushed to third place.

Athani, inround 7 of vote counting, BJP's Mahesh Kumathalli now has36,225 votes, and Congress's Gajanan Mangsuli has 22,489.

In Gokak, atround 9 of counting, BJP's Ramesh Jarkiholi leads with 37,565 votes , Congress's Lakhan Jarkiholi has 25,366 andJD(S)'s Ashok Pujari has 13,304.

BJP candidatecontinued their leads in Athani, Kagwad and Gokak assembly constituencies. Kagwad counting is done and BJP candidate Srimant Patil supporter's were celebrating.

Meanwhile, the party workers inAthani and Gokak toobeamwith confidence.

BJP bags first seat in Karnataka Assembly Bypoll. BJP candidate from Yellapur,Arabail Shivaram Hebbar, defeats Congress' Bhimanna Naik by over 31,000 votes.

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The ruling BJP in Karnataka appears to be headed towards securing a comfortable majority as the saffron party is leading in 12 out of the 15 constituencies for which bypolls were held last week.

If the trends convert into victory, the BJP’s number will go up from 105 to 117, which is well ahead of the halfway mark of 111 in a 222-member Assembly. With this, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa will heave a sigh of relief.

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Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa celebrates with his son BY Vijayendra as BJP leads on 12 out of 15 seats in the Karnataka bypolls.

Congress candidate HP Manjunath wins

Congress candidate HP Manjunath wins with a marine of 39,727 votes. Manjunath secured 92,727 in total.BJPs A H Vishwanath managed to get 52,998 votes and JD(S) candidate Somashekar gets 32,895.

Congress workers rejoice in Shivajinagar.

BJP workerscelebrate thewinning of their party candidate Srimant Patil from Kagwad. The results yet to be announced officially.

Athani, in the round 6 vote counting, Mahesh Kumathalli of the BJP leads with 31,955 votes, Gajanan Mangsuli of the Congress is with 19,557.
Meanwhile, in Gokak, at the round 8 of counting, BJP's Ramesh Jarkiholi now has 34,296, Congress's Lakhan Jarkiholi trails with21,881 and JD(S)'s Ashok Pujari has11,793.

This is the first victory for BJP in Mandya district.

BJP creates history by breaking into the JD(S) bastion and winning the by-elections in KR Pet segment. This is the first victory for BJP in Mandya district.
The elections were necessitated after Narayana Gowda resigned his MLA's post.

Congress party workers start celebration at Hunsur as the party candidate H P Manjunath leads by 27,826 votes.

Congress leads by 10,261 votes after round 6 in Shivajinagar.

BJP candidate Shivaram Hebbar is set to win Yellapur. Hislead stretches to about 25,000 votes in the constituency.

Yellapur had recorded one of the highest voter turnouts in the bypolls.

Congress candidate HP Manjunath leads by 31,036 votes by end of 16th round counting. The Congress leadernow has 75,586; while BJP candidateVishwanath has44,550 votes and JD(S)'s Somashekar has26,746.

In Gokak, at round 6, Ramesh Jarkiholi of the BJP leads with 31,834 votes, Lakhan Jarkiholi of Congress has 18,342, Ashok Pujari of JD(S) has 10,398.

Athani, at round 5 of counting, BJP's Mahesh Kumathalli is leading by lead 12,366 votes with27,577. Gajanan Mangsuli of Congress has 15,211.

Congress candidate Rizwan Arshad widens the lead by 7,550 votes in Shivajinagar seat after the fifth round of counting. In all, Arshad has 19,531 votes while BJP' Saravana has 11,981 votes. JD(S)' Tanveer Ulla is far behind with just 330 votes.

BJP, JD(S) neck-and-neck in KR Pet seat

After the ninth round of counting in KR Pet, the BJP and JD(S) are neck-and-neck with the BJP leading by just 822 votes.

Votes tally is as follows:
BJP: 30,654
JDS: 29,832
Congress: 19,869

In Hunsur, Congress candidate HP Manjunath is leading by a margin of 20,821 votes by end of 10th round of counting.

Votes tally is as follows:

Congress'S Manjunath: 55,217 votes
BJP's Vishwanath: 34,396 votes

JD(S)'s Somashekar: 20,636 votes

After the fourth round in Athani, BJP'sMahesh Kumathalli has received 23,041 votes, whileCongress Gajanan Mangsuli is trailing with 12,244 votes.

BJP's Amit Malviya celebrates lead in Karnataka bypolls

In the 10th round of counting, Manjunath leads by 17,998 votes in Hunsur

Votes tally as of now

Cong's Manjunath: 46158

JDS' Vishwanath: 28160

BJP's Somashekar: 17730

After third round, Rizwan widens lead by 4,878 votes in Shivajinagar constituency

BJP leads in KR Pet by 1403 votes

BJP: 23352
JDS: 21,949
Congress: 16,086

Hunsur: Manjunath leads by 14278 by end of eighth-round counting

Gokak round 2 tally as of now

BJP's Ramesh Jarkiholi: 8532,

Congress' Lakhan Jarkiholi:4460,

JDS' Ashok Pujari: 2852

Shivajinagar after the second round:
BJP : 4185

Congress 7743
JDS - 141

The BJP continues to lead in Athani, Gokak, and Kagwad but the margin of lead is reducing.

In Hunsur, Congress candidate HP Manjunath leads by 9,441 votes by end of the sixth round counting.

Votes tally are as follow as of now:

Manjunath: 24,874 votes

Vishwanath: 15,433 votes

Somashekar: 13,602 votes

After the third round of counting, Congress's Rizwan Arshad continues to lead from Shivajinagar constituency.

After the fourth round of counting, BJP candidate Narayana Gowda leads by 260 votes against Devaraj of JD(S), who secured 12,758 votes in KR Pet.

It's a huge set back for BJP candidate A H Vishwanath as Congress candidate Manjunath leads by 7,633 by end of the fifth round of counting.

Votes tally are as follows:

Manjunath: 21,098 votes

Vishwanath: 13,464 votes

Somashekar: 10,311 votes

Congress candidate HP Manjunath arrives at the counting centre in Hunsur.

The fourth round of counting of votes has ended in Hunsur. After this round, Manjunath is leadingby 5,393 votes.

Votes tally is as follows:

Manjunath: 16,990 votes

Vishwanath: 11,597 votes

Somashekar: 8,247 votes

Round 3 of counting starts at Mount Carmel college

Round 2 counting commenced. Round 1 votes official announcement pending

JDS candidate Devaraj leads in K R Pet by 412 votes in the 3rd round

K R Pet:JDS candidate Devaraj leads by 412 votes in the third round,secures 9841 votes
BJP's Narayana Gowda: 9429
Congress' Chandrasekhar: 6012

Manjunath leads 3rd round counting in Humsur

Humsur: Manjunath leads by 4008 by end of third round counting.

Manjunath: 12356, Vishwanath: 8348, Somashekar: 6307

First round of counting completed for Athani, Kagwad and Gokak

The firstround of counting completed for Athani, Kagwad and Gokak.

Gokak round 1 leads: BJP 4472, Congress 2372, JDS 1572

Athani round 1 leads: BJP 11033, Congress 5369

Kagwad round 1 leads:BJP 14479, Congress 9774

In Gokak, BJP candidate Ramesh Jarkiholi has received 4,472 votes. The Congress has got 2,372 seats and JD(S) 1,572 votes after the round one.

Karnataka bypolls: Early trends show clear lead for BJP

Early trends of counting of votes in Karnataka bypolls show that the BJP is leading in eight seats.

The eight seats where the BJP is leading are: Hunsur, Krishanrajpet, Kagwad, Vijayanagara Krishnarajapura, Mahalakshmi Layout, Gokak and Yellapur.

At the time of filing this copy, Congress candidate Rizwan Arshad was leading in Shivajinagar seat, while JD(S) candidate BL Devaraj was ahead in K R Pet seat. BJP's Narayana Gowda was trailing in the KR Pet seat.

Read the full report here.

Security outside the counting centre in Belagavi. (DH photo)

In Hunsur, Congress candidate Manjunath is leading by 3,007 votes in the second round. Manjunath has received 8,439 votes, while Vishwanath has received 5,432 votes so far.

The BJP is now leading in 10 seats including Chikkaballapur and Yeswanthpur, while the Congress is leadingin two seats. The JD(S) is leading in one seat and independent candidate Sharath Bache Gowda leads in one seat.

Counting of votes via EVM opens

The counting of votes via EVM opens and early trends show that the BJP maintains its lead in eight out of 15 seats. The Congress leads in Hunsur and Shivajinagar while the JD(S) leads in KR Pet.

Congress candidate H P Manjunath leads by 853 votes in the first round.

BJP's A H Vishwanath has received3,855 votes, whileManjunath has received4,707.JD(S) candidateSomashekar has received 1, 871 votes.

Postal ballots being counted in Belagavi. (DH photo/Raju Gawali)

Congress candidate Rizwan Arshad takes the lead at Shivajinagar seat.

Votes received by prominent candidates in KR Pet so far:

JD(S) Devaraj: 3,976 votes

BJP's Narayana Gowda: 2,664 votes

Congress'sK B Chandrasekhar:2,202 votes

JD(S) is leading by 1,312 votes in the second round of counting in KR Pet.

After the first round of counting in K R Pet,JD(S) candidateBL Devaraj is leading.

Postal and EVM votes are being counted in parallel for Athani, Kagwad and Gokak seats.

Counting of postal ballots are underway. Here's a look at postal ballots in three Assembly seats in Gokak:

Athani postal ballot issued: 967; Received: 93
Kagwad postal ballot issued: 884; Received: 91
Gokak postal ballot issued: 1721; Received: 200

Counting of votes begins at K R Pet; Narayana Gowda leads

Counting of votes begins at K RPet segment in Mandya district, for the by-elections. The BJP leads after the counting of postal ballots. Narayana Gowda is the BJP candidate.The results of this segment have raised curiosity as it is the native of Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

JUST IN | Counting of votes for Karnataka Bypolls begins at 15 counting stations.

The postal ballots are being sorted by the poll officials. The Election Commission officials say that the postal ballots will be counted before 9 am, according to News 18.

Counting of votes to begin shortly

Counting of votes for bye-election for three assembly constituencies of Athani, Kagwad and Gokak in Belagavi to begin shortly.
Eightcandidates are in the fray in AthaniincludingMahesh Kumathalli of BJP and Gajanan Mangsuli of Congress. Kagwad has ninecandidates including Raju Kage of Congress and Srimant Patil of BJP. Gokak has 11 candidates including Ramesh Jarkiholi of BJP, Lakhan Jarkiholi of Congress and Ashok Pujari of JD(S).

Counting of votes in Hunsur Assembly commences:

Total postal ballots issued: 78

Total postal ballots received: 67/78

237 electronic postal ballots issued to service voters
Total electronic postal ballots issued: 78+237 (315)
electronic postal ballots received: 67+40 (107)

The strong room opened in the presence of JD(S) candidate B L Devaraj and agents of BJP candidate Narayana Gowda and Congress candidate K B Chandrasekhar at KR Pet in Mandya district, for the counting of the votes. (DH photo/Sathish Kumar)

Counting of votes in Karnataka bypolls will begin shortly.

Karnataka leaders visit temples for victory in bypolls

Ahead of the counting of votes for the byelections at 15 assembly segments, leaders inKarnatakavisited temples and Maths on Sunday seeking divine intervention.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa went to Dharmasthala and sought the blessings of Lord Manjunatha.

Amid chanting of hymns, Yediyurappa performed a special puja in the temple for his party's (BJP) victory in the polls and successful completion of his tenure in the next three-and-a-half years. His party needs at least six seats in the assembly. (PTI)

'BSY lacks knowledge on managing state finances'

A day before Karnataka bypoll results,Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah has said that Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had no knowledge of managing the finances of the state.

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Siddaramaiah said that the state government had utterly failed in maintaining the finances and the chief minister had been busy saving his chair.

Read the full report here.

BJP will do justice to disqualified MLAs: Kateel

BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel has said that the party would do “justice” to the disqualified MLAs who have contested the bypolls on the BJP ticket.

“It was because of their resignation that the BJP was able to form the government. The party gave them tickets since the Supreme Court allowed them to contest the elections and they too jointed BJP. The party will ensure justice for them,” Kateel said. He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of party convention here on Sunday.

Read the full report here.

Results of Karnataka bypolls comes after the BJP suffered massive loss in the neighbouring state Maharashtra. The results would show if the saffron party has taken a hit in Karnataka after what happened in Maharashtra.

Deve Gowda visits Saibaba temple ahead of Karnataka bypolls results

Former prime minister and JD (S) chief H D Deve Gowda on Sunday visited Saibaba temple in Shirdi in Maharashtra on the eve of the results of the crucial Karnataka assembly bypolls.

Counting of votes in the byelections to 15 assembly constituencies will be taken up on Monday, which could decide fate of the four-month-old B S Yediyurappa-led BJP government in the southern state.

Read the full report here.

Counting will start at 8 am and results are expected by the evening. Postal ballots will be counted first, which will be followed by votes in EVMs.

The Karnataka bypoll results will also decide the fate of 13 disqualified MLAs who have sought re-election to Assembly seats.

Security beefed up at counting centres

Bengaluru police have beefed up security ahead of counting of the votes polled in the recent bye-elections.

The police have made elaborate security arrangements in all the four constituencies. Nearly 1,300 policemen have been deployed across the city for the counting.

Read the full report here.

The poll outcome is also keenly awaited by JD(S)' Kumaraswamy who aims to keep his flock together amid threats of further internal bickering. If the ruling BJP cruises to majority, Yediyurappa has a tough task of cabinet expansion ahead of him. He will have to strike a balance by accommodating the victorious disqualified legislators in his ministry as promised by him and also make place for old-guards, who have been upset over being "neglected" in the first round.

The bypoll results are crucial for Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah who is facing growing discontent against his unilateral style of functioning and selection of candidates for the polls.

In Hosakote, BJP rebel and independent supported by JD(S) Sharth Bachegowda is a key factor. In case the BJP fails to garner the required number of seats to retain majority, the state may witness another bout of political drama. Speculations were rife about Congress and JD(S), which had parted ways on a bitter note after the collapse of the Kumaraswamy government, coming together and form a coalition ministry again, though leaders of the two parties have sent mixed signals on such a possibility ahead of the polls.

BJP and Congress were pitted in direct contest in most of the constituencies that went for the bypolls, in the southern parts of the state JD(S) was also in the fray, making it a triangular fight.

The BJP had fielded 13 of the 16 disqualified legislators, who joined 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.

Betting fever grips KR Pet

As the counting of votes, polled in the bypoll to 15 Assembly constituencies would be held todayfor the results, betting fever gripped political enthusiasts of Mandya district, especially in KR Pet taluk.

The bypoll was held on December 5, following the resignation of Narayana Gowda, who was elected as a JD(S) MLA, in August. He was elected in 2018.

Read the full report here.

BJP will win 13 seats in bypolls: BSY

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa exuded confidence that BJP would win 13 seats out of 15 in the assembly by-elections held recently. Congress and JD(S) may win a single seat each.

Speaking to media persons in the helipad at Mankalale village in Sagar taluk, he said the government would complete the full term and there is no threat to it.

Read the full report here.

On the eve of counting, Yediyurappa told reporters here that his party would win at least 13 seats. "We will complete our term". Even people have the same expectations from us, he said. While the BJP has exuded confidence that the people would have voted in favour of the party for stability and development, the Congress and JD(S) were optimistic that the defectors, who have been disqualified and are now the ruling party candidates, would be rejected by the electorate.

Majority for BJP in Karnataka, predict exit polls

Following brisk polling in most of the 15 constituencies where byelections were held on Thursday, exit polls predicted that the BJP would cruise to a comfortable majority.

While the B S Yediyurappa-led BJP government needs to win six of the 15 constituencies, exit polls have predicted wins in a minimum of eight seats for the saffron party.

Read the full report here.

Savadi ‘extends invitation’ to Kage for rejoining BJP

A video of Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi declaring that he would bring back Bharamagouda Kage (Raju Kage) back to BJP, has gone viral on the social media.

Kage joined Congress after the BJP refused him to ticket to contest bypolls from Kagwad. Savadi has “extended invitation” to Kage at a programme to mark centenary celebrations of agricultural credit cooperative society.

Read the full report here.

Bypoll results today: BJP hopes for 13; Oppn upbeat

The future of the B S Yediyurappa-led BJP government will be decided on Monday when the results of the crucial bypolls to 15 constituencies will be out.

The counting of votes will begin at 8 am and the results are likely to be out by afternoon, election officials said.

Read the full report here.

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.

Prohibitory orders restricting assembly of people around the counting centre and activities that could disturb law and order have been clamped.

The assembly will still have two vacant seats, where bypolls were not due to pending litigations in the High Court. 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.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had won the confidence motion on July 29 after the effective strength of the 225-member assembly (including the Speaker who has a casting vote) came down to 208 and the majority mark to 105, equivalent of BJP's current strength, following the disqualifications.

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.

The counting of votes polled in the December 5 polls, which saw a voter turnout of 67.91 per cent, will begin at 8 am in 11 centres and all the results were most likely to be out by the afternoon.

Twelve of the 15 seats were held by the Congress and three by JD(S). The outcome of the bypolls, which recorded 67.91 per cent polling, is crucial for BJP, which needs to win at least six seats to remain in majority.

Hello readers and welcome to our live coverage of counting of votes of Karnataka bypolls to 15 constituencies. The future of the four-month-old B S Yediyurappa-led BJP government in Karnataka will be clear today as the counting of votes in the crucial byelections to 15 assembly constituencies will be held today. While the BJP government needs to win six of the 15 constituencies, exit polls have predicted wins in a minimum of eight seats for the saffron party. Stay tuned for live updates.