The counting of votes for three Karnataka assembly constituencies – Channapatna, Shiggaon, and Sandur is underway. The polling for these seats took place on November 13. The seats became vacant after the candidates who won them in the 2023 assembly elections resigned to contest in the Lok Sabha polls. Both the ruling Congress party and the BJP-JDS alliance are aiming to secure these constituencies to demonstrate their strength in the southern state.
The results of the bypolls would not impact the political dynamics in Karnataka but it still holds significance as BJP would look to salvage some ground in the state whereas Congress would look to further consolidate its hold in the southern state.
Karnataka By Election Results Live In Kannada
Check latest trends and results from the Karnataka bypolls here:
Trends At 1 PM: Congress' E Annapoorna Secures Sandur Victory
Congress has claimed its first official win in the Karnataka bypolls, with E Annapoorna defeating BJP's Bangaru Hanumantappa in the Sandur assembly seat by a margin of nearly 10,000 votes. With counting nearing its conclusion in three Karnataka assembly seats, the Congress party looks set to win all three seats in the southern state.
Trends At 12 Noon: Congress Leads in All Three Karnataka Bypoll Seats
As per the latest trends, Congress is leading in all three Karnataka assembly seats – Channapatna, Shiggaon, and Sandur. These constituencies are witnessing a seesaw battle between the BJP-JDS alliance and Congress.
Congress' Yasir Ahmed Khan is ahead in Shiggaon, facing a close contest with BJP's Bharat Bommai, son of former CM Basavaraj Bommai. The lead is narrow at just 300 votes and could shift in the coming rounds.
In Sandur, Congress' E Annapurna has reclaimed the lead, currently ahead by over 6,000 votes against BJP's B Hanumantappa.
Trends At 11 AM: Congress's CP Yogeshwara Takes Lead In Channapatna Amid Fierce Battle with Nikhil Kumaraswamy
The race for Channapatna has become intense, with Congress's CP Yogeshwara now leading over Nikhil Kumaraswamy of JD(S). Initially, Kumaraswamy held the lead with a narrow margin of under 1,000 votes at 10:15 pm, but Yogeshwara has surged ahead, now leading by more than 3,000 votes after several rounds of counting.
Trends at 10: AMBJP-JDS Surge Ahead in Karnataka Bypolls; Lead in All Three Seats
As per initial trends, the BJP-JDS alliance has taken the lead in all three Karnataka assembly seats where counting is underway. After early morning trends showed a Congress lead, the BJP-JDS coalition gained ground following the first round of counting. As per the latest trends, BJP's Bangaru Hanumantha is ahead in Sandur, while JDS' Nikhil Kumaraswamy has taken the lead in Channapatna. Congress leader and five-time MLA CP Yogeshwara is trailing behind.
Trends at 9 AM: Congress' E Annapurna Leads in Sandur
Early trends show Congress' E Annapurna leading in the Sandur constituency, where she faces BJP’s Bangaru Hanumanthu.
Bharat Bommai Faces Electoral Debut at Shiggaon
Former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai's son, Bharat Bommai, is contesting his first election in Shiggaon, a seat vacated by his father for the Lok Sabha polls. A win here could establish Bharat as a key young Lingayat leader, as the BJP focuses on grooming its next generation of leaders in Karnataka.
8 am: Vote Counting Begins in Karnataka's Channapatna, Shiggaon, and Sandur
The Election Commission commenced vote counting at 8 AM for the three Karnataka constituencies that recently underwent bypolls. Early trends are expected to emerge by afternoon, shedding light on the likely winners in these key by-elections.