Lok Sabha Poll Results: BY Raghavendra Wins Triangular Battle In Shimoga Against Geetha Shivarajkumar, KS Eshwarappa

Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: In Karnataka's Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency, a three-way battle rages between BJP's BY Raghavendra, Congress's Geetha Shivarajkumar, and expelled BJP leader KS Eshwarappa.

Lok Sabha Poll Results: File photo of Shimoga Lok Sabha seat candidates BY Raghavendra, Geetha Shivarajkumar, and KS Eshwarappa. ( Image Source :PTI )

Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sitting MP BY Raghavendra on Tuesday retained Karnataka's Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency with over 7,78,721 votes polled in his favour against Congress' Geetha Shivarajkumar who polled 5,35,006. He won with a margin of 2,43,715 votes. This comes as a three-way clash ensued in Shimoga with scions from the families of former Chief Ministers and a seasoned leader throwing their hats into the electoral arena.

Representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is sitting MP BY Raghavendra, son of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and sibling to state party chief BY Vijayendra.

On the opposing front, Congress has put forth Geetha Shivarajkumar, daughter of the late former Chief Minister S Bangarappa, sister to state Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa and spouse to Kannada superstar Shivarajkumar.

Adding a twist to the contest was BJP rebel leader KS Eshwarappa, who was expelled from the party for six years following his decision to contest independently. Eshwarappa, a veteran with five Shivamogga assembly seat wins, set the stage for a triangular showdown. Eshwarappa is a senior Kuruba (other backward classes) leader and a former state BJP president.

Shimoga Constituency: A Yediyurappa Vs Bangarappa Family Battle

For the past thirty years, except for a solitary instance in 1998, Shimoga's parliamentary representation has been dominated by scions of two prominent former Chief Ministers. Late S. Bangarappa, the erstwhile Chief Minister, secured victory on four occasions from various political affiliations, according to The Hindu.

However, since 2009, the reins have shifted to the family of B.S. Yediyurappa. B.Y. Raghavendra clinched his MP seat by triumphing over Bangarappa in 2009. In 2014, the rivalry intensified as Yediyurappa himself contested and defeated Bangarappa's daughter, Geetha Shivarajkumar. The 2018 by-election and the subsequent general election in 2019 witnessed fierce battles between Raghavendra and Bangarappa's son, Madhu Bangarappa.

As Raghavendra seeks re-election, leaning on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's image, Geetha Shivarajkumar banked on Congress' Nyay guarantees and the state government's popularity.

However, Eshwarappa's independent bid stirred controversy, with the BJP alleging misuse of Modi's image for electoral gains. The BJP's plea to the Election Commission sought action against Eshwarappa for allegedly misleading voters with the use of Modi's pictures in his campaign.

Shimoga's parliamentary constituency, comprising eight Assembly segments, involves four segments under BJP control, three under Congress, and one under JD(S).

Debates within the constituency are centered around various crucial issues, including inter-community disturbances, environmental preservation, the urgent need for enhanced educational infrastructure, and the creation of employment opportunities, as per news agency ANI.

Prime Minister Modi and actor Shivarajkumar actively engaged in the election canvassing.

A 78.33% voter turnout was logged in Shimoga on May 7 during the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections, as per the Election Commission. As Karnataka sends 28 MPs to the Lower House, anticipation mounts for the June 4 counting day.