BJP wrests Basavakalyan from Congress in a spectacular victory

Sharanu Salagar defeats Mala Narayanrao by an impressive margin of 20,629 votes

BJP candidate Sharanu Salagar defeated his nearest rival Mala B. Narayanrao of the Congress by an impressive margin of 20,629 votes. The byelection to the constituency, which was necessitated by the demise of incumbent representative in the Assembly B. Narayanrao, was held on April 17 and counting was taken up on Sunday. Counting began at B.V. Bhumareddy College in Bidar at 8 a.m. as scheduled after the strongroom where the EVMs were kept was opened in the presence of candidates and election and security officers, including Bidar Deputy Commissioner R. Ramachandran and Superintendent of Police Nagesh D.L. Mr. Salagar registered a lead of 2,174 votes in the first round and continued to increase it after each round. Ms. Narayanrao trailed him till the end. When counting was completed by 1 p.m., Mr. Salagar had polled 71,012 votes, including postal ballot, against Ms. Narayanrao who polled 50,383 votes.