How Has North Karnataka Voted?

The Congress party's sweeping victory in seven districts of north Karnataka is seen as a significant setback for the BJP, which had previously held 40 of the 56 seats in the region (after defections). The BJP was found to be trailing in multiple constituencies.

North Karnataka comprises Kittur Karnataka (Mumbai Karnataka) and Kalyana Karnataka (Hyderabad Karnataka) regions, with 13 districts and 90 assembly seats. Presently, the BJP holds 52 seats, while Congress and JDS hold 32 and six seats, respectively.

The Lingayat community, which has traditionally been a strong supporter of the BJP and is highly represented in the areas of Belagavi, Uttar Kannada, Haveri, Gadag, Vijayapura, Bagalokot, and Dharwad, appeared to have shifted their support to the Congress in this election cycle.

Although former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who had defected from the BJP to the Congress, lost his seat in Hubbali-Central Dharwad, his departure from the BJP was viewed unfavorably by the Lingayat community. Additionally, the All India Veerashaiva Community of the Lingayats openly endorsed the Congress party, giving them a significant boost.

However, Laxman Savadi, a powerful Lingayat leader and former Deputy Chief Minister who had also left the BJP for the Congress, won his traditional seat in Athani in Belagavi district.

The defections of these high-profile leaders seem to have impacted the BJP in north Karnataka, which had been a stronghold of the party for many years. As a result, the BJP's national leadership will likely face several questions in the aftermath of this defeat.

Interestingly, in North Karnataka, the party that secures more than 50 seats usually forms the government in the state. In 2013, the Congress won 59 seats and took power, while in 2018, the BJP won 52 seats but the Congress-JD(S) coalition came to power. Subsequently, in 2019, the BJP formed the government after multiple Congress and JD(S) MLAs defected to the party.