Karnataka bypoll: BJP pockets Koppal seat

Sep 30, 2011 - B.R. Srikanth |

Bengaluru

Tags:

BJP
Koppal

The BJP hasn't been able to stop smiling after their candidate Karadi Sanganna, swept to victory in the Koppal Assembly bypoll in Karnataka, the first since the exit of former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa, the Reddy brothers and their lieutenant B Sreeramulu in July.

Despite a rift, BJP leaders in the state sank their differences and campaigned as a team. Mr Sanganna, who quit the seat after defecting from JD(S), defeated long-time rival K. Basavaraj Hitnal of Congress by 12, 488 votes.

Thursday's victory was the fourth for Mr Sanganna who first entered the Assembly as an independent and has represented JD(U), JD(S), and even BJP.

In the September 26 bypoll, Mr Sanganna polled 60,405 votes against Mr Hitnal’s 47, 917. His JD(S) rival Pradipgouda Patil, finished third with 27,710 votes. With this victory, the BJP’s tally in 20 by-elections held since 2008 rose to 12, ahead of six by JD(S), and two for the Congress.

The bypoll saw the Reddy brothers and their Valmiki strongman stay away from the campaign, underlining their growing irrelevance. JD(S) has the dubious distinction of losing its seat.

Congress has clearly been unable to capitalize on its SC-ST-BC leaders.

Bypoll bytes

This victory has given the party strength to face Assembly polls. The Opposition thought it will be easy to win just by making allegations - B.S. Yeddyurappa, Former CM

I don’t want any minister’s post. I want to focus on development. Mr Yeddyurappa’s charisma worked for me, all leaders worked hard for my victory - Karadi Sanganna, BJP candidate

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