Congress sweeps all 3 assembly seats in Karnataka by-poll, Gowda-Bommai family scions lose

Bengaluru: In a major political upset in Karnataka, the Congress party on Saturday won all three contested assembly seats in the byelection held on November 20, sweeping the Sandur, Shiggaon, and Channapatna constituencies.

The results mark a significant blow to the prominent political families of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, whose heirs lost in these crucial contests.

In Sandur, Congress candidate E Annapurna emerged victorious with a commanding margin of 93,616 votes. She decisively defeated BJP’s Bangaru Hanumanthu, who secured 83,967 votes. Annapurna’s win is seen as a clear endorsement of the Congress’ local strategies and welfare-driven agenda in the region.

The Shiggaon seat, which had been held by the BJP, saw a closely contested battle between Congress’ Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan and BJP’s Bharath Bommai, the son of former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

In a race that captivated voters, Pathan won with 1,00,756 votes, narrowly edging out Bommai, who garnered 87,308 votes. The outcome has sent ripples through the BJP, as the Bommai family, which had hoped to retain the seat, faced a tough defeat.

The Channapatna seat, traditionally considered a stronghold for the JD(S), saw Congress’ CP Yogeeshwara claiming victory with 1,12,642 votes. Yogeeshwara’s triumph left JD(S)’ Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and grandson of HD Deve Gowda, trailing with 87,229 votes.

This defeat is a significant blow to the Kumaraswamy family, further diminishing their influence in the state’s politics.

The byelection was necessitated by the vacancies created after the respective representatives—E Tukaram of Congress, Basavaraj Bommai of BJP, and HD Kumaraswamy of JD(S), were elected to the Lok Sabha in May.

Their departure left these crucial constituencies up for grabs, and the Congress party has now successfully capitalised on the opportunity.

Reacting to the win, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated, "This victory proves that the people of Karnataka trust our welfare programs and governance. Our focus on inclusive development and social justice has resonated with the electorate."

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also weighed in, saying, "Our emphasis on local development and addressing pressing issues resonated with the electorate. This win motivates us to continue working for Karnataka’s progress, ensuring that every region benefits from our leadership."