Karnataka Elections 2023: The assembly seat BJP could not win since 1957

While Tukaram, the incumbent MLA has expressed his confidence to retain the post, the BJP is all determined to dethrone the three-time MLA in the upcoming assembly elections.

It may come as a surprise for some, but it is true. Of the 224 assembly seats for which elections are being held in Karnataka, there is one seat where BJP, one of the largest parties in the county has never won the popular vote. Never since 1957 when the first elections were held from the seat.

Yes, the Sandur constituency in Karnataka's Bellary district has been a Congress stronghold, where the BJP has not been able to win even once.

Who won Sandur seat?

Since the first elections were held in the state, Congress has won 10 times from Sandur and twice other parties have won. Congress registered victories in 2008, 2013, and 2018. While Santhosh S Lad, who contested from JD(S), won the seat in 2003.

While Tukaram, the incumbent MLA has expressed his confidence to retain the post, the BJP is all determined to dethrone the three-time MLA in the upcoming assembly elections.

The BJP has formulated a master plan to make the lotus bloom in the constituency, and Home Minister Amit Shah himself is said to have formulated the strategy.

Meanwhile, B Sriramulu has expressed his willingness to contest from the Sandur seat. However, he was quick to mention that the final call would be left to the BJP high command.

"Congress has won 10 times from Sandur and twice other parties have won. In 2008, BJP had won 8 out of 9 seats in the district except for this constituency. This time we are determined to win the seat," remarked Sriramulu recently.

Interestingly, Sriramulu is frequently seen in the constituency while Santosh Lad, a native of Sandur, is eyeing the Congress ticket from Kalghatagi for a second term.

The Ballary contest

The Ballari district will be witnessing a keen contest between the Congress and BJP in the upcoming elections. Out of nine constituencies, Congress currently holds power in five constituencies while BJP holds four.

While former Karnataka Minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy's new party has spiced up the poll game in the district.

Reddy's elder brothers, G Karunakara Reddy and G Somashekar Reddy are BJP MLAs from Harapanahalli and Ballari city assembly segments, respectively, while his close friend Sriramulu is a minister in the Bommai government.

They have reaffirmed their commitment to the BJP and have nothing to do with the new party. If BJP again fields Somashekar Reddy from Ballari city assembly segment, it will be an electoral fight between members of the family.