Jayanagar Assembly bypoll in Karnataka LIVE: Congress seeks to topple BJP in stronghold; voting underway
Jayanagar Assembly bypoll in Karanataka: Voting for Jayanagara Assembly Constituency in Karnataka's Bengaluru, where election was countermanded after the death of BJP candidate BN Vijayakumar, took place on Monday. About 55 per cent polling was recorded in Jayanagar Assembly segment, poll officials said. The Assembly seat is witnessing a direct contest between BJP and Congress after JD(S) pulled out its candidate.
Over two lakh voters are expected to cast their votes in about 216 polling booths in the Jayanagar constituency today, where about 19 candidates are in the fray.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded deceased BN Vijayakumar's brother BN Prahalad, while Congress is banking on former state home minister Ramalinga Reddy's daughter Sowmya Reddy.
The election is crucial for both BJP and Congress as both the parties will seek to strengthen their sensitive numbers in the Karnataka Assembly.
The voters had returned a hung assembly in the Karnataka Elections 2018 held on May 12. While BJP emerged as single largest party with 104 seats, it fell short of the half-way mark of 112 in 224-seats Assembly. After a week-long political turmoil, a coalition government on Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) and Congress party successfully formed the government in Karnataka. Congress brings 78 seats to the coalition, while JD(S) brings 36.
BJP will aim to sweep the by-election to strengthen its numbers in Assembly and save the traditional stronghold.
Congress will seek increase its strength and undermine any chances BJP might have to gain numbers in the Karnataka Assembly to maintain the delicate alliance.
In the RR Nagar Assembly, where the election was countermanded after the allegations of corruption and fake Voter IDs, the bypoll was won by Congress' Munirathna by a margin of over 25,400 votes. His nearest rival was BJP candidate Tulsi Muniraju Gowda.
JD(S), which had decided to go alone in the RR Nagar bypoll, has lent its support to Congress candidate for Jayanagar bypoll to defeat BJP in its stronghold.
The votes will be counted on Wednesday.
Also read | RR Nagar Assembly Bypoll Counting Result: Congress's Muniratna declared winner
