Karnataka: Bypoll Results Hold Key To Yeddiyurappa Government's Stability; Numbers Here

The stability of the four-year-old Yeddiyurappa government depends chiefly on the numbers it acquires in the bypolls as the government is six short of the majority mark in the assembly as of now.

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa (Photo by MANJUNATH KIRAN / AFP)

New Delhi: The fate of the four-year-old Yeddiyurappa government depends chiefly on the numbers it acquires in the bypoll results, as the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) government is short of the majority mark in the Karnataka Assembly. The government is six short of the majority figure in the 224-member house, as BJP has 105 MLAs including an independent MLA. So, in the bypolls which were conducted in 15 constituencies on December 5, the BJP needs to win at least six seats to retain its majority in the house. At the same time, Congress which may go for a tie-up with the JDS again is also eyeing the outcome. The local exit polls have predicted BJP to clinch a majority of the 15 seats, which went to polls on December 5. For latest updates of Karnataka bypoll results stay tuned to our LIVE Blog. The Congress-JDS government got knocked out after the resignation of 14 Congress and 3 JDS MLAs. All the rebel MLAs were disqualified by the previous Speaker, after which the 17 seats fell vacant, calling for a by-election. Bypolls were held on 15 of the 17 seats as two seats are under litigation in the high court. The saffron party had fielded 13 disqualified legislators, who joined the party after the Supreme Court allowed them to contest the bypolls, as its candidates from their respective constituencies from where they had won in the 2018 assembly elections on Congress and JD(S) tickets. As per the initial trends in counting of results BJP is already leading on 10 of the 15 seats. Also Watch | Karnataka Bypoll Results: BJP leads in 10 out of 15 seats By-elections were held in 15 constituencies on December 5 in Athani, Kagwad, Gokak, Yellapura, Hirekerur, Ranibennur, Vijaynagara, Chikkaballapura, K.R. Pura, Yeshwanthpura, Mahalakshmi Layout, Shivajinagara, Hosakote, K.R. Pete and Hunsur Assembly seats. The assembly will still have two vacant seats, where bypolls were not due to pending litigations in high court. As of now, the BJP has 105 MLAs (including an independent), the Congress 66 and the JD(S) 34. Besides, there is one BSP member, a nominated MLA and the Speaker.