Karnataka by election results LIVE: Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha bagged the Ramanagara assembly seat by a spectacular margin of 1,09,137 against her nearest rival BJP's L Chandrashekar, who had pulled out of the contest, but still officially remains the party candidate.

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This is one place where BJP is competing with Congress' family politics. Former chief minister of Karnataka B S Yeddyurappa has pitched his son B Y Raghavendra for the Lok Sabha seat which he vacated after he was elected for the Karnataka Assembly seat. From the same constituency, another former chief minister S Bangarappa's son Madhu Bangarappa is also contesting.

In 1999, this Lok Sabha constituency turned into a high profile constituency where people accepted 'videshi' Sonia Gandhi over swadeshi Sushma Swaraj. This time too, Congress would repeat history, political pundits have said. Congress candidate all set to win with a lead of ten thousand to fifteen thousand votes.

The bypoll results will decide whether Ballari Lok Sabha would accept an outsider or not. Thanks to this high profile constituency, the fight is between DK Shiva Kumar and Sriramulu.

"I have no hesitation in accepting that the sympathy element might work for me, but I am depending on my own laurels as an entrepreneur and a proactive young politician" he said.

Will the sympathy wave for Anand Nyamegowda at Jamakhandi work in his favour? Nyamegowda is the son of late Siddu Nyamegowda, who died in a road accident earlier this year. The Congress fielded his son as candidate from the Assembly constituency. He is an entrepreneur.

The JD(S) contested from the Ramangara assembly seat and Mandya and Shimoga Lok Sabha seats, while the Congress did from Jamkhandi and Bellary (reserved).

The ruling Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and Congress alliance is upbeat on retaining their hold in the Saturday's five by-elections ahead of vote count on Tuesday, an official said on Monday. "Higher voter turnout in the two assembly segments of Jamkhandi and Ramangara and moderate in the three parliamentary seats of Bellary (ST), Mandya and Shimoga indicate that joint candidates of our parties have a clear edge," a JD-S official told IANS.

Mandya and Shivamogga are the two Lok Sabha seats that are contested keenly. While the present Congress-JDS coalition government was standing firmly with their respective parties, this is one seat both of them do not wish to lose to BJP, which is batting on a stronger pitch this time after the last assembly elections.

The Mandya, Shivamogga and Ballari Lok Sabha seats fell vacant after the 2018 elections, due to resignation of B S Yeddyurappa in Shivamogga, Sriramulu in Ballari and Kumaraswamy in Ramangara. In Jamkhandi, seat fell vacant after the death of the MLA and minister Siddu Nyamegowda.

The bypolls are being held in Karnataka for three Lok Sabha constituencies — Mandya, Shivamogga and Ballari — and two assembly constituencies — Ramanagara and Jamakhandi.

An unfazed BJP, however, claimed that it would not only retain the Bellary and Shimoga parliamentary seats, but also wrest Jamkhandi from the Congress. "The heavy turnout (77.17 per cent) in Jamkhandi clearly signals our candidate Srikant Kulkarni will snatch the seat from the Congress," a BJP official said.

Though the opposition BJP fielded candidates in all the five by-polls, its nominee L Chandrasekhar from Ramanagara resigned from the party and re-joined the Congress on 1 November, making his contest futile, as even his polling agents deserted him.

The Shivamogga seat, which is held by the BJP father-son duo — BS Yeddyurappa and BY Raghavendra, if lost it will be a big blow for BJP, Yeddyurappa is not just a former chief minister but a leader of great standing in these parts and generally in Karnataka. The Congress and BJP are jointly fighting this seat through Madhu Bangarappa.

The strong rooms that held the EVMs for the last three days were opened in all five constituencies with the district magistrate — Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police — of the respective districts present at the spot. They were quickly taken to the counting area in police. All constituencies Jamkhandi, Shivamogga, Mandya, Ramangara and Ballari have been opened at the same time — 7.30 am.

First results likely at 10 am: Counting of votes begin in two Assembly and three Lok Sabha seats

Going by the massive gathering around the counting centre at Mandya (government boys first grade college) right from the first hour of counting, the crowds were already pitching in slogans for Shivarame Gowda the consensus candidate for JDS and Congress. BJP supporters have also taken their position outside the counting centre. The police chief has scaled up the security.

The district administration has deployed as many as 136 micro observers, 130 supervisors, 120 counting assistants and around 745 police personnel for both counting and the security.

Of the eight, seven Assembly segments are of Mandya district. They are : Mandya, Malavalli, Maddur, Melkote, Srirangapatna, K.R. Pet and Nagamangala Assembly constituencies. The eighth one, K.R. Nagara Assembly constituency, belongs to the neighbouringol Mysore district.

All the EVMs, Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines and other material were thoroughly inspected in the presence of counting agents of candidates and the parties. The Mandya LS constituency has eight Assembly segments.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made at the counting centre. The officials concerned, under the supervision of Mandya Deputy Commissioner N. Manjushri, inspected the seal of the strong room and the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), VVPat and other polling material of the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency at the strong room.

The announcement of the bypolls for the Lok Sabha seats came as a surprise to all the three major political parties in the state — the Congress, BJP and JD(S) — who questioned the need for the exercise when the general elections are due early next year.

The bypolls assume significance as the ruling coalition partners contested together, terming it a "prelude" to the Lok Sabha polls next year, and called for a similar "grand secular alliance" against the BJP at the national level.

The outcome of the Karnataka bypoll is expected to have a bearing on the equations between the Congress and the JDS for the 2019 general elections and also be a factor in determining the bargaining power of the two parties.

In Jamkhandi, it remains to be seen whether the Congress' Anand Nyamagowda will be able to make a successful electoral debut, riding on sympathy wave following the death of his father Siddu Nyamagouda.

Anita is expected to have a smooth sailing in Ramanagara, after BJP nominee L Chandrashekhar withdrew from the contest and rejoined the Congress.

Congress candidate VS Ugrappa leading over BJP's J Shantha by 17480 votes in Bellary parliamentary seat after counting of votes after first round of counting.

Congress' Anand Siddu Nyamagouda leads over BJP's Kulkarni Shrikant Subrao by 55,433 votes in third round of counting in Jamkhandi Assembly seat. JDS candidate Anitha Kumaraswamy leads over BJP's L Chandrashekhar by 8,430 votes after two rounds of counting in Ramanagara assembly seat.

JD(S) candidate LR Shivaramegowda is leading with 1,67,073 votes against BJP's Siddaramaiah in Mandya who has 61,763 votes at the end of the fifth round of counting votes in the Lok Sabha by-elections.

Congress-JDS maintain big lead over BJP in two Lok Sabha & two Assembly seats. BS Yeddyurappa's son leads in Shimoga Lok Sabha seat in the Karnataka bypolls. BS Yeddyurappa's son may win Shimoga by a smaller margin. Last time BSY won by over 3.5 lakh votes.

Shivarame Gowda of JD(S) got 191876 votes while BJP candidate Siddaramaiah got 71050 votes at the end of sixth round of counting in Mandya Lok Sabha by-election.

BJP almost concedes victory to the Congress in Bellary. V S Ugrappa of Congress has established a lead of 1,08,000 votes. VS Ugrappa got 2,28,000 lakh votes. Shanta the BJP candidate got 1,26,823 votes

At the end of the 9th round of counting, Congress candidate Anand Nyamagoud is with 54,267 votes while BJP's Shrikant Kulakarni has 34,201. Congress candidate leads by 20,066 votes.

At the end of the 8th round of counting, LR Shivarame Gowda of JD(S) is leading by 1,29,592 votes against BJP's Siddaramaiah in Mandya. After the 8th round, Gowda secured 2,06,975 votes, while Siddaramaiah 77,383 votes

At the end of the 10th round of counting, Congress candidate Anand Nyamagouda secured 60,777 votes while BJP's Shrikant Kulkarni got 36,371 votes. Nyamagouda has a lead of 30,398 votes

LR Shivarame Gowda is leading in Mandya Lok Sabha by-election. He has secured 3,30,264 votes against Siddaramaiah of the BJP who has secured 1,28,211 votes.

At the end of the 9th round of counting, Ugrappa of Congress secured 3,34,907 votes while Shanta of BJP got 1,94,376 votes. Independent candidates Srinivas got 7,269 votes, Pampapati got 3,682 votes and NOTA votes were 6,568.

At the end of the 12th round of counting, Congress candidate Anand Nyamagouda secured 71,781 votes while BJP's Shrikant Kulkarni got 42,671 votes. Congress candidate is leading with 29,116 votes.

JD(S) candidate LR Shivaramegowda maintaining and increasing his lead in Mandya Lok Sabha by-election. After the completion of the 13th round, he has secured 4,00,369 votes against his close rival Siddaramaiah of the BJP, who has secured just 1,63,784 votes

Congress candidate V S Ugrappa got 4,78,180 votes, J Shantha of BJP got 2,93,977 votes, Pampapati (Independent) received 5,683 votes, Srinivas (Independent) got 10,388 votes in Bellary Lok Sabha by-election at the end of 13th round of counting.

BJP candidate in Jamkhandi assembly by-election is trailing behind Congress candidate, JD(S) candidate Anitha Kumaraswamy’s success is certain in Ramanagara Assembly by-election since BJP candidate L Chandrasekhar withdrew from the contest before the polling.

Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) combine is leading in Ballari and Mandya Lok Sabha by elections by a huge margin while BJP is maintaining a lead in Shivamogga Lok Sabha by-election.

At the end of 17th round of counting in Mandya, LR Shivarame Gowda of the JD(S) has polled 5,50,126 votes against Siddaramaiah of the BJP who secured 2,36,033 votes. The number of NOTA votes is 15,052

As a rare occurence, she is first woman to enter the assembly while her husband is the chief minister. Women have not entered the Assembly since 1952

Anita Kumaraswamy is the first female legislator in Ramanagara. She is the third representative from Devagowda's family, Ramanagara legislator. Anita and her husband, HD Kumaraswamy, are legislators in the Ramanagara-Channapatna twin areas.

At halfway mark of counting in Bellary Lok Sabha constituency (9 out of 18 rounds), V S Ugrappa of the Congress secured 3.34 lakh votes with J Shanta of the BJP trailing much behind at 1.94 lakh votes.

After the final round of counting in Mandya, JD(S) candidate LR Shivarame Gowda has secured 5,53,374 votes while Siddaramaiah of the BJP has got 2,44,377 votes. Results have not yet been officially announced. Meanwhile, at the end of the 14th round of counting in Bellary, Congress candidate V S Ugrappa got 5,15,179 votes leading over BJP candidate J Shantha who got 3,16,872 votes.

After the end of the final round of counting (20th) in Ramanagara, JDS candidate Anitha Kumaraswamy secured 1,25,043 votes while BJP's Chandrashekhar got 15,906 votes. Winning lead was 1,09,137.

The new MP has thanked the voters, former Prime Minister HD Devegowda, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other leaders of both Congress and the JD(S).

He spoke to the media after winning the by-election and said that he had expected the victory. This will be an indicator of which way the winds are blowing for the upcoming general elections in 2019. And, the mandate is against the anti-people policies of the NDA-government at the Centre, Gowda said. "The people have united to protect the secular values," he said.

Congress Karnataka tweeted a 'thank you' message to the voters and said, "We are grateful to all the voters who came out in huge numbers to support us. People of Karnataka have sent a clear message to the BJP."

"The victory in the by-elections is Diwali gift to Congress and JD(S) from people of Karnataka. The outcome of the by-elections is an indicator for the Lok Sabha elections. I am thanking the voters in three Lok Sabha seats and two Assembly seats,'' says former chief minister Siddaramaiah.

Congress candidate V S Urgappa polled 5,54,139 votes in Bellary Lok Sabha by-election. JD(S) candidate L Shivarame Gowda polled 5,53,374 votes in Mandya Lok Sabha by-election. Anitha Kumaraswamy of JD(S) got 1,25,043 votes in Ramanagara Assembly by-election. Anand Nyamagouda of Congress got 97,017 votes in Jamakhandi Assembly by-election. BJP candidate B Y Raghavendra defeated his rival Madhu Bangarappa of JD(S) by a margin of 52,148 votes in Shivamogga Lok Sabha by-election.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao has described the success in the by-elections as the success of coalition government. "The by-elections were considered as important for the coalition government. We have contested the by-elections in association with coalition partner. BJP has struggled a lot to win in Shivamogga. Our candidates have got elected from four constituencies — two Assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats," says Dinesh Gundu Rao.

"BJP calls JDS-Congress coalition 'Apavitra Maitri', today that contention has been nullified." These elections were the first step, said the chief minister and added that JD(S) will work with Congress on all the 28 Lok Sabha "to win all of them". "...that is our goal. This is not an empty boast just because we have won today. This is the confidence of people in us. This win is not making us arrogant," Kumaraswamy said.

"I congratulate Congress leaders in the state and at the Centre. I also congratulate JDS state leaders and workers who worked towards this win," chief minister HD Kumaraswamy told the media on Tuesday.

Claiming that the party was not prepared well enough for the Shivamogga by elections, Kumaraswamy has said that Madhu Bangarappa, who was supposed to contest from the seat, was on a foreign tour during campaigning. "Our candidate got defeated with a small margin of votes. I want to thank the voters in all five constituencies. We have fielded consensus candidates in all five constituencies. I am happy with the success of coalition candidates in four constituencies. BJP leaders, who are dreaming of bringing down the coalition government, are disappointed lot. This coalition government is set to last for five years,'' Kumaraswamy said.

Buoyed by victory the by elections, Kumaraswamy reiterated the state government's policy on Tipu Jayanti celebrations too. Stressing on the fact that the state government has never passed a diktat on whether or not to celebrate Tipu Jayanti, Kumaraswamy said, "​All I had said was there are many communities in the country, people want to celebrate Jayantis of their leaders. If they (BJP) don't like to be part of the celebrations, there is no need to participate."

Tipu Jayanti celebrations: If BJP doesn't want to be part of it, no need to participate, says Kumaraswamy

Chandrashekhar, who had joined the BJP ahead of the polls returned to Congress weeks later, leaving the saffron party red-faced and the field open for a walkover for Anitha Kumaraswamy. Ramanagara seat fell vacant after Kumaraswamy preferred to retain Chennapatna, the other constituency from where he had won.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha bagged the Ramanagara assembly seat by a spectacular margin of 1,09,137 against her nearest rival BJP's L Chandrashekar, who had pulled out of the contest, but still officially remains the party candidate.

The new MP has thanked the voters, former Prime Minister HD Devegowda, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other leaders of both Congress and the JD(S).

He spoke to the media after winning the by-election and said that he had expected the victory. This will be an indicator of which way the winds are blowing for the upcoming general elections in 2019. And, the mandate is against the anti-people policies of the NDA-government at the Centre, Gowda said. "The people have united to protect the secular values," he said.

Our candidates have campaigned with passion and a desire to serve. It is clear from the results across all seats that the positive message has reached the people. #KarnatakaByElection2018 #KarnatakaRejectsBJP

Congress Karnataka tweeted a 'thank you' message to the voters and said, "We are grateful to all the voters who came out in huge numbers to support us. People of Karnataka have sent a clear message to the BJP."

"The victory in the by-elections is Diwali gift to Congress and JD(S) from people of Karnataka. The outcome of the by-elections is an indicator for the Lok Sabha elections. I am thanking the voters in three Lok Sabha seats and two Assembly seats,'' says former chief minister Siddaramaiah.

Congress candidate V S Urgappa polled 5,54,139 votes in Bellary Lok Sabha by-election. JD(S) candidate L Shivarame Gowda polled 5,53,374 votes in Mandya Lok Sabha by-election. Anitha Kumaraswamy of JD(S) got 1,25,043 votes in Ramanagara Assembly by-election. Anand Nyamagouda of Congress got 97,017 votes in Jamakhandi Assembly by-election. BJP candidate B Y Raghavendra defeated his rival Madhu Bangarappa of JD(S) by a margin of 52,148 votes in Shivamogga Lok Sabha by-election.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao has described the success in the by-elections as the success of coalition government. "The by-elections were considered as important for the coalition government. We have contested the by-elections in association with coalition partner. BJP has struggled a lot to win in Shivamogga. Our candidates have got elected from four constituencies — two Assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats," says Dinesh Gundu Rao.

"BJP calls JDS-Congress coalition 'Apavitra Maitri', today that contention has been nullified." These elections were the first step, said the chief minister and added that JD(S) will work with Congress on all the 28 Lok Sabha "to win all of them". "...that is our goal. This is not an empty boast just because we have won today. This is the confidence of people in us. This win is not making us arrogant," Kumaraswamy said.

"I congratulate Congress leaders in the state and at the Centre. I also congratulate JDS state leaders and workers who worked towards this win," chief minister HD Kumaraswamy told the media on Tuesday.

Claiming that the party was not prepared well enough for the Shivamogga by elections, Kumaraswamy has said that Madhu Bangarappa, who was supposed to contest from the seat, was on a foreign tour during campaigning. "Our candidate got defeated with a small margin of votes. I want to thank the voters in all five constituencies. We have fielded consensus candidates in all five constituencies. I am happy with the success of coalition candidates in four constituencies. BJP leaders, who are dreaming of bringing down the coalition government, are disappointed lot. This coalition government is set to last for five years,'' Kumaraswamy said.

Buoyed by victory the by elections, Kumaraswamy reiterated the state government's policy on Tipu Jayanti celebrations too. Stressing on the fact that the state government has never passed a diktat on whether or not to celebrate Tipu Jayanti, Kumaraswamy said, "​All I had said was there are many communities in the country, people want to celebrate Jayantis of their leaders. If they (BJP) don't like to be part of the celebrations, there is no need to participate."

Tipu Jayanti celebrations: If BJP doesn't want to be part of it, no need to participate, says Kumaraswamy

Chandrashekhar, who had joined the BJP ahead of the polls returned to Congress weeks later, leaving the saffron party red-faced and the field open for a walkover for Anitha Kumaraswamy. Ramanagara seat fell vacant after Kumaraswamy preferred to retain Chennapatna, the other constituency from where he had won.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha bagged the Ramanagara assembly seat by a spectacular margin of 1,09,137 against her nearest rival BJP's L Chandrashekar, who had pulled out of the contest, but still officially remains the party candidate.

Karnataka by election results LATEST updates: Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's wife Anitha bagged the Ramanagara assembly seat by a spectacular margin of 1,09,137 against her nearest rival BJP's L Chandrashekar, who had pulled out of the contest, but still officially remains the party candidate. Chandrashekhar, who had joined the BJP ahead of the polls returned to Congress weeks later, leaving the saffron party red-faced and the field open for a walkover for Anitha Kumaraswamy.

Speaking to reporters after Congress-JDS victory in crucial by elections in Karnataka, chief minister HD Kumaraswamy congratulated Congress leaders in the state and at the Centre. "I also congratulate JDS state leaders and workers who worked towards this win," Kumaraswamy told the media on Tuesday. "BJP calls JDS-Congress coalition 'Apavitra Maitri', today that contention has been nullified."

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao has described the success in the by-elections as the success of coalition government. "The by-elections were considered as important for the coalition government. We have contested the by-elections in association with coalition partner. BJP has struggled a lot to win in Shivamogga. Our candidates have got elected from four constituencies — two Assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats," says Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Congress and JD(S) have won four out of five seats in crucial Karnataka by election. Congress candidate V S Urgappa polled 5,54,139 votes in Bellary Lok Sabha by-election. JD(S) candidate L Shivarame Gowda polled 5,53,374 votes in Mandya Lok Sabha by-election. Anitha Kumaraswamy of JD(S) got 1,25,043 votes in Ramanagara Assembly by-election. Anand Nyamagouda of Congress got 97,017 votes in Jamakhandi Assembly by-election. BJP candidate B Y Raghavendra defeated his rival Madhu Bangarappa of JD(S) by a margin of 52,148 votes in Shivamogga Lok Sabha by-election.

Reacting to the crushing defeat that JD(S) and Congress meted out to the Bharatiya Janata Party, former chief minister Siddaramaiah said, "The victory in the by-elections is Diwali gift to Congress and JD(S) from people of Karnataka. The outcome of the by-elections is an indicator for the Lok Sabha elections. I am thanking the voters in three Lok Sabha seats and two Assembly seats."

Newly elected Mandya Lok Sabha member LR Shivarama Gowda has attributed his victory to the combined efforts of the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) leaders. He spoke to the media after winning the by-election and said that he had expected the victory. This will be an indicator of which way the winds are blowing for the upcoming general elections in 2019, Gowda said. And, the mandate is against the anti-people policies of the NDA-government at the Centre, Gowda said. "The people have united to protect the secular values," he said.

After the end of the final round of counting (20th) in Ramanagara, JDS candidate Anitha Kumaraswamy secured 1,25,043 votes while BJP's Chandrashekhar got 15,906 votes. Winning lead was 1,09,137.

After the final round of counting in Mandya, JD(S) candidate LR Shivarame Gowda has secured 5,53,374 votes while Siddaramaiah of the BJP has got 2,44,377 votes. Results have not yet been officially announced. Meanwhile, at the end of the 14th round of counting in Bellary, Congress candidate V S Ugrappa got 5,15,179 votes leading over BJP candidate J Shantha who got 3,16,872 votes.

The Congress-JD(S) combine is leading in four seats, even though they have fielded separate candidates in these regions. Congress candidate Anand Nyamagouda has defeated BJP's Srikanth Kulkarni by a margin of 39,479 votes from Jamakhandi. Nyamagouda got 96,968 votes while BJP candidate Srikanth Kulkarni got 57,492 votes. The BJP, meanwhile, is hanging on to Shimoga as BSY's son BY Raghavendra has managed to maintain the lead.

Results have not been officially announced yet, however, Congress and JD(S) cadres are celebrating outside the counting centres of Mandya and Ballari. HD Deve Gowda thanked the people of Karnataka for "supporting the development-centric administration of JDS-INC government". He added that people had given a response to "those who were trying to destabilise the state government".

The Congress is leading in Bellary and its coalition partner Janata Dal (Secular) in the Mandya parliamentary seats, electoral officials said. The JD(S)-Congress coalition is also leading in Ramanagara and Jamkhandi Assembly segments, respectively. The BJP is leading only in Shivamogga.

After the 12th round of counting in Bellary, Ugrappa of Congress got 4,44,341 votes while BJP's Shanta secured 27,0047 votes. 8,735 NOTA votes were cast. Meanwhile in Shivamogga, BJP candidate B Y Raghavendra (BSY's son) polled 319889 votes, while JD(S) candidate Madhu Bangarappa got 2,82,797 votes at the end of 10th round for the Lok Sabha by-election. Raghavendra is leading by 39,030 votes.

BJP almost concedes victory to the Congress in Bellary. V S Ugrappa of Congress has established a lead of 1,08,000 votes. VS Ugrappa got 2,28,000 lakh votes. Shanta the BJP candidate got 1,26,823 votes. Meanwhile, independent candidates Pampapati and Srinivas have got 2,420 and 4,771 votes respectively and there are 4,426 votes for NOTA.

After four rounds of counting, JD(S) candidate Anitha Kumaraswamy is leading in Ramanagara by 22,691 votes. Whereas, in Shivamoga BJP's Raghavendra is leading by 13,547 votes. Meanwhile, JD(S) candidate LR Shivaramegowda is leading with 1,67,073 votes against BJP's Siddaramaiah in Mandya who has 61,763 votes at the end of the fifth round of counting votes in the Lok Sabha by-elections.

Congress' Anand Siddu Nyamagouda leads over BJP's Kulkarni Shrikant Subrao by 55,433 votes in third round of counting in Jamkhandi Assembly seat. JDS candidate Anitha Kumaraswamy leads over BJP's L Chandrashekhar by 8,430 votes after two rounds of counting in Ramanagara assembly seat.

As the first round of counting is underway for the Karnataka bypoll, Congress is leading in Jhamkhandi constituency by 6,000 votes. In Mandya and Jhamkhandi constituencies, JDS is leading by huge margins. Congress is leading the Bellary constituency too by 17,000 votes. Bypolls to Jamkhandi Assembly seat was necessitated due to the death of Congress MLA Siddu Nyamagouda.

Congress candidate Anand Nyamagouda is leading by 1700 votes in the first round from Jamakandi assembly seat, early trends have indicated. JD(S) candidate L R Shivarame Gowda is leading with 3,500 votes in Mandya Lok Sabha segment.

Going by the massive gathering around the counting centre at Mandya (government boys first grade college) right from the first hour of counting, the crowds were already raising slogans for Shivarame Gowda the consensus candidate for JDS and Congress. BJP supporters have also taken their position outside the counting centre. The police chief has scaled up the security.

Counting of votes have begun Shimoga, Bellary and Mandya Lok Sabha seats and Ramanagara and Jamkhandi legislative assembly seats. The three Lok Sabha and the two (Ramanagara and Jamkhandi) Assembly seats went to polls this Saturday.

Mandya and Shivamogga are the two Lok Sabha seats that are contested keenly. While the present Congress-JDS coalition government was standing firmly with their respective parties, this is one seat both of them do not wish to lose to BJP, which is batting on a stronger pitch this time after the last assembly elections.

The results for three Lok Sabha and two Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, which went to the polls on Saturday, seen as a prestigious popularity test for the ruling Congress-JDS coalition, will be declared on Tuesday. Officials said counting of votes would begin at five centres, one each in five constituencies, at 8 am on Tuesday. A total of 1,248 counting staff have been deployed.

An estimated 67 percent voter turnout was recorded in the bypolls for five constituencies. A total of 31 candidates were in the fray from all the five constituencies, though the contest is mainly between the Congress-JDS combine and the BJP. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure to that no untoward incident takes place during the counting of votes, police officials said. Police have been deployed around the counting centres and strongrooms where the EVMs are placed, they said.

The bypoll results will determine the fate of chief minister HD Kumaraswamy's wife Anita Kumaraswamy, state BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa's son BY Raghavendra and former chief minister S Bangarappa's son Madhu Bangarappa and others. Anita Kumaraswamy is expected to have a smooth sailing as Ramanagara, the seat vacated by her husband, after BJP nominee L Chandrashekhar withdrew from the contest and rejoined the Congress.

In Jamkhandi, it remains to be seen whether Congress' Anand Nyamagowda will be able to make his successful electoral debut, riding on the sympathy wave due to the death of his father and former MLA Siddu Nyamagouda, by defeating Srikant Kulkarni of the BJP. While in Shivamogga, Yeddyurappa's son BY Raghavendra is testing his fortunes against another former chief minister S Bangarappa's son Madhu Bangarappa of the JD(S), in Ballari, senior BJP leader Sriramulu's sister J Shantha is fighting against VS Ugrappa of the Congress, considered an outsider.

In the Vokkaliga bastion of Mandya, JD(S)'s Shivarame Gowda, is pitted against a fresh face in Dr Siddaramaiah, a retired Commercial Tax officer from the BJP. Among the interesting things that one needs to watch out for is to what extent BJP would be able to make inroads into the JD(S) bastion of Mandya and the Congress stronghold of Jamkhandi. Of similar interest would be to what extent the Congress will be able to regain its significance in its erstwhile party stronghold of Ballari, the seat earlier won by its top leader Sonia Gandhi.

Differences between Congress and JDS workers had come to the fore in Ramanagara and Mandya constituencies that fall under the old Mysuru region over the party's decision to support the JDS candidates. Congress and JD(S) had fought bitterly against each other in the assembly polls, especially in the old Mysuru region, but had joined hands to form a coalition government after a fractured mandate in the May assembly polls. The Congress fielded its candidates in Jamkhandiand Ballari, JD(S) contested in Shivamogga, Ramanagara and Mandya under an electoral understanding. The outcome of the by-polls is expected to have a bearing on the equations between the Congress and JDS for the 2019polls and also be a factor in determining the respective

bargaining power of the two parties.

The bypolls were seen as significant as the coalition partners contested together, terming it as a "prelude" to the May 2019 general elections and called for a similar "grand secular alliance" against the BJP at the national level. The by-elections were necessitated afterYeddyurappa (Shivamogga) and Sriramalu (Ballari), and C SPuttaraju of JD(S) (Mandya) resigned as MPs on their election to the assembly in May 2018. Bypolls to Jamkhandi assembly seat was caused by the death of Congress MLA Siddu Nyamagouda, while Ramanagara fell vacant after Kumaraswamy gave up the seat, preferring Chennapatna, the other constituency from where he had won.