BJP retains SW Graduates, Teachers constituencies

Bangalore, June 19 (UNI) The ruling coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained both the Southwest Graduates and Teachers' seats in the biennial elections to the Karnataka Legislative Council, counting of votes for which was taken up today.

While Higher Education Minister D H Shankaramurthy won the South-west graduates' constituency for a record fourth successive term, Capt Ganesh Karnik, who was given the party ticket replacing two-time winner Balakrishna Bhat, won the teachers' constituency.

Mr Murthy defeated his nearest Congress rival by a margin of over 10,000 votes by securing 14,663 first preference votes. Mr Mahesh of Congress and Yesudas of JD (S) polled 4,146 and 1,035 votes respectively.

In the Teachers' constituency, Capt Karnik emerged victorious securing 4,562 votes, while Vagish of the JD (S) and Mahadevappa of the Congress polled 2,470 and 1,513 votes to take the second and third places respectively.

The Southwest Graduates and Teachers' constituencies covereed Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikmagalur, Shimoga and Davanagere districts.

The elections were held on June 17 to fill three seats each from the Graduates and Teachers' constituencies. As many as 59 candidates were in the fray. The results of the remaining four constituencies would be known by this evening.

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