Karnataka: Udupi-Chikmagalur bypoll counting today

Bangalore, Mar 21: Counting for the Mar 18 bypolls to Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha seat will be taken up on Wednesday, election officials said. [UPDATE:

]

With BJP government in Karnataka facing turmoil, there is intense anticipation and anxiety in ruling and Opposition Congress circles over the outcome of the bypolls. [Read: Yeddy responsible for BJP defeat in Udupi Chikmagalur bypoll]

Electoral authorities said tight security arrangements have been made for the counting. About 66 per cent of 12.53 lakh electorate had cast their votes. [Read: Karnataka Budget 2012: List of prices gone up and down]

The bypolls has become a prestigious battle for BJP, particularly Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda, who had vacated the seat upon his elevation as chief minister.

Congress is trying to revive its electoral fortunes in the state. [Read: BJP blinks; Yeddyurappa to be made CM in 24 hours?]

Former MLA, V Sunil Kumar of BJP has been locked in a fierce contest with Congress's K Jayaprakash Hegde. Bojegowda of JDS is also in the fray.

This is the second bypoll being held in the state after Gowda assumed office. BJP was mauled in the byelection to Bellary Rural Assembly seat last year, which was won by independent B Sreeramulu, who was not long ago a key leader of the ruling party before falling out with it.

PTI