Karnataka Bypoll Results 2020: Trends show BJP leading in both RR Nagar, Sira

Bengaluru, Nov 10: The ruling BJP is leading ahead of opposition Congress and JD(S) in the bypolls held for two assembly constituencies in the state, poll officials said on Tuesday. Votes polled in the November 3 bypolls to Sira in Tumakuru district and Rajarajeshwari Nagar (RR Nagar) in the city were taken up for counting at 8 am and the results are expected to be out by afternoon.

According to the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer's office, the trends show- BJP's Dr C M Rajesh Gowda is leading with 8,919 votes in Sira, followed by Congress' T B Jayachandra with 7,577. JD(S)' Ammajamma B is in third place with 4842 votes. In RR Nagar too BJP's N Munirathana is leading with 22,845 votes, followed by Congress' Kusuma H with 11,121. JD(S) is in third place here too with party candidate V Krishtramurthy so far securing 728 votes.

The bypoll has been necessitated in Sira following the death of JD(S) MLA B Sathyanarayana in August, while R R Nagar seat here fell vacant due to disqualification of the then Congress MLA N Munirathna last year under anti-defection law. If Rajesh Gowda, a radiologist wins Sira, this will be the BJP's first ever win in the assembly segment.

Counting of votes is underway for the bypolls held to two assembly segments and elections held for four legislative council seats in the state, poll officials said on Tuesday. Votes polled in the November 3 bypolls to Sira in Tumakuru district and Rajarajeshwari Nagar (RR Nagar) in the city were taken up for counting at 8 am and the results are expected to be out by afternoon.

In the polls held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Sira and RR Nagar recorded voter turnout of 82.31 per cent and 45.24 per cent respectively. Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the counting.

Also, prohibitory and liquor ban orders are in place from 6 am to 12 midnight in the constituencies. The bypoll has been necessitated in Sira following the death of JD(S) MLA B Sathyanarayana in August, while RR Nagar seat here fell vacant due to disqualification of the then Congress MLA N Munirathna last year under anti-defection law.

BJP that had never won the Sira seat fielded radiologist Dr CM Rajesh Gowda, son of former Congress MP CP Mudalagiriyappa, who had recently joined the party, while the Congress and JD(S), considered traditional rivals in the region, nominated former Minister TB Jayachandra and Ammajamma (wife of late MLA Sathyanarayana) respectively.

Congress candidate for Sira Jayachandra (71) on Monday night said he along with his wife have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been hospitalised.

In RR Nagar, the Congress has fielded a fresh face -- Kusuma H, wife of late IAS officer DK Ravi. She was pitted against V Krishnamurthy of JD(S) and N Munirathna of the BJP.

Munirathna, after his disqualification last year, had joined the BJP. The party gave his ticket after he was cleared by the courts of the charges of election malpractices, despite stiff resistance from within.

Stakes are high for the ruling BJP and opposition Congress and JD(S). Though the results will have no bearing on the stability of the BS Yediyurappa government, yet it would be seen in many quarters as a reflection on its performance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the Congress and JD(S) are keen to strike after facing a rout in December 2019 bypolls, the BJP would be aiming to keep its winning streak intact.

Some exit polls have indicated that BJP will sweep RR Nagar and Sira bypolls, but the opposition parties have rejected the predictions. Expressing confidence about winning both seats, Yediyurappa has also indicated that the much awaited expansion of his cabinet will take place at the earliest and he will talk to party high command in this regard, soon after the assembly bypoll results.

Stakes are high for 77-year old Yediyurappa amid intense speculation that BJP high command is mulling leadership change considering his age. It is also equally significant for state Congress President DK Shivakumar and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy to assert their command over the Vokkaliga vote bank.