Karnataka bypoll results: Ruling Congress sweeps all three Assembly seats

Congress wins all three Karnataka bypolls, increasing Assembly tally to 137, defeating former CMs' families, showcasing voter confidence in party.

The ruling Congress in Karnataka is jubilant after winning Legislative Assembly bypolls in all three constituencies of Channapatna, Shiggaon and Sandur

All three constituencies witnessed a direct fight between the Congress and Opposition BJP-JD(S) alliance. While the Congress wrested Channapatna and Shiggaon seats from the JD(S) and the BJP, respectively, it retained the Sandur seat.

With these results, the Congress tally in the Karnataka Assembly went up to 137.

With these defeats, two former Chief Ministers -- H.D. Kumaraswamy and Basavaraj Bommai — have lost their families’ hold in Channapatna and Shiggaon constituencies, respectively.

Congress party’s C.P. Yogeshwar won from Channapatna and he defeated Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of Mr. Kumaraswamy of the JD (S), now Union Minister for Heavy Industries.

The film actor-turned-politician Mr. Yogeshwar defeated Mr. Nikhil by over 25,000 votes. Mr Yogeshwar secured more than one lakh votes, while Mr Nikhil bagged more than 77,000 votes. Mr Kumaraswamy vacated the seat following his election to the Lok Sabha from Mandya.

The Assembly segment had attracted wide attention owing to two Vokkaliga leaders – Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar and Mr Kumaraswamy involved in aggressive campaigns.