Major Setback for BJP-JD(S) Alliance in Karnataka: Former CM’s Son Loses in Channapatna seat

The Bharatiya Janata Party and its ally Janata Dal (Secular) have suffered a major setback in the assembly by-elections held in Karnataka. By-elections were held on 3 assembly seats in Karnataka, out of which BJP contested on 2 seats and Janata Dal (Secular) on one seat. The BJP-led alliance has lost on all three seats and Congress candidates have won. The most shocking defeat among these is of Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of former Chief Minister and current Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, on the Channapatna seat. Nikhil was defeated by Congress candidate CP Yogeshwar by a margin of more than 25 thousand votes.

This by-election was a battle of prestige for Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy because his son Nikhil was trying his luck once again on the Channapatna seat after facing defeat in the last election. Kumaraswamy had vacated this seat after winning the Lok Sabha elections this year. However, this time too, the big defeat of Nikhil must have given a big blow to Kumaraswamy. Nikhil had campaigned a lot in the elections but the public clearly rejected him and gave more preference to his opponent.

Let us tell you that the results of the elections held in Karnataka's Sandur, Shiggaon and Channapatna assembly seats were very important for both BJP and Congress. Congress's victory must have given relief to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. At the same time, the defeat in Sandur and Shiggaon by-elections is a big blow for BJP's state president BY Vijayendra because due to this he lost an important opportunity to shut the mouths of his critics within the party. Congress leader E. Annapurna won in Sandur while Congress' Yasir Pathan won in Shiggaon.