Chennai: Congress wrestled tough in Hangal, which is a town in the home district of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, to register a victory by over 7,000 votes. While Congress' Srinivas Mane had secured 87,490 votes, Shivaraj Sajjanar could get 80,117 votes. BJP's Ramesh Bhusanur clinched a big win in Sindgi.
"One was a BJP seat (Hangal) and one was a JD(S) seat (Sindgi). The JD(S) seat has been snatched by the BJP, while Congress took the BJP seat away from them. But these results are a message to the nation about the people's lack of faith in the BJP," said KPCC President DK Shivakumar on Tuesday as quoted by the Swarajya.
Also read | Bypoll Results 2021: Congress Sweeps Himachal, Boost For Gehlot Govt In Rajasthan
The by-poll in Hangal in the Haveri district was held to fill up the vacancy after the demise of CM Udasi. In Hangal, instead of giving a ticket to CM Udasi's family member, BJP fielded Sajjanar which was speculated that the decision was against the wishes of the party's top brass -- BS Yeddiyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai-- in the state.
However, after the loss in the Hangal byelection, CM Bommai stated that the setback is taken seriously and he will work towards making the North Karnataka district a BJP's stronghold.
Meanwhile, Bhusanur made a comfortable victory with 31,185 votes in Sindgi over his closest rival Ashok Managuli of Congress. While BJP secured 93,865 votes, Managuli got 62,680 votes.