Bengaluru: Congress to power in Karnataka. Congress regained power in Karnataka by winning 136 seats. Even in the strongholds of the Congress, the JDS also faced setbacks while the BJP was crushed. From the moment the counting of votes started, the progress of the Congress was gradually clear. After an hour, the lead increased in more than 100 seats. Finally crossing the magic number of 113 and leapfrogging to a big majority. The Congress has increased 56 seats compared to the last election, while the BJP has lost 39 seats and the JDS has lost 18 seats.
The BJP was crushed in all of the strongholds of Mumbai, Karnataka and Central Karnataka in the Congress advance. Coastal Karnataka is the only relief for the BJP. The JDS suffered a setback when the Congress made inroads in the old Mysore region as well.
Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah won from Varuna constituency in Mysuru district and Congress president DK Shivakumar from Kanakapura. Laxman Savadi, who left BJP and joined Congress, won from Adani, while Lingayat leader Jagadish Shettar suffered a surprise defeat in Hubballi Dharwad Central.
BJP leader Chief Minister Basavaraj Bomme won in Shigaon and former Chief Minister Yeddyurappa’s son BY Vijayendra won in Shikaripura. JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy won in Channapatna amid setbacks in power centres.
His son Nikhil Kumara Swamy lost to Congress’s Iqbal Hussain in JDS stronghold Ramanagara. 11 ministers of the BJP lost their hands due to anti-incumbency sentiment. Congress’ resounding victory in Karnataka turned the country into a celebration.
