Karnataka Bypolls: Congress Wins All 3 Seats; Sons Of Ex-CMs Nikhil Kumaraswamy, Bharath Bommai Defeated

Among the three constituencies, Channapatna has garnered the most attention, featuring a political clash between the families of former PM H.D. Deve Gowda and Karnataka Congress President Shivakumar.

The Congress has gained a significant ground in Karnataka's three Assembly bypolls by securing all segments--Shiggaon, Channapatna and Sandur-- as vote counting has come to an end on Saturday. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which had initially led in all three constituencies, suffered a massive setback towards the end.

Among the three constituencies, Channapatna garnered the most attention featuring a political clash between the families of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar.

Shiggaon Constituency

In Shiggaon, Congress candidate Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan made a comeback after trailing initially.

He has bagged the seat with over 1 lakh votes in the 18th round with a margin of over 13,000 votes compared to BJP candidate Bharath Bommai's who secured over 87,000 votes. Bharath Bommai is the son of former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai.

Channapatna Constituency

In the high-profile Channapatna constituency, Congress candidate C. P. Yogeshwara bagged the seat by defeating NDA's Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. 

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Yogeeshwara secured 1,12,642 votes and secured a margin of 25, 413 votes. 

On the other hand, Nikhil Kumaraswamy trailed behind with 87,229 votes. The seat became vacant after Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy was elected to the Lok Sabha.

Sandur Constituency

Congress candidate Annapurna Tukaram bagged Sandur, which has been a Congress bastion, by a margin of 9,649 votes after the 19th round. E Annapoorna has garnered 93,616 votes, while BJP's Bangaru Hanumanthu lost with 83,967 votes. 

The bypolls were necessitated by the resignation of sitting MLAs who were elected to the Lok Sabha earlier this year.  As the results have arrived, the outcomes are expected to have significant implications in the political landscape of Karnataka, particularly for the Congress, which is looking to consolidate its position after a blow in Lok Sabha polls.