KADUR: BJP won the Kadur bypolls with a huge margin of 13,897 votes, pushing the JD(S) and Congress to second and third place respectively.
In the counting of votes held on Thursday, BJP candidate Dr YC Vishwanath secured 55,796 votes as against JD(S) candidate YSV Datta's 41,899 and Congress candidate KM Kemparaj's 30,330 votes.
Vishwanath had a steady lead right from the first round. In the 17 rounds of counting, BJP established a lead of over 5,000 votes in each round with the JD(S) inching closer and Congress trailing.
First the postal ballot papers were counted. Of the total 9 votes, 6 were garnered by the JD(S), one by Congress and 2 by BJP.
JD(S) candidate YSV Datta was at the counting centre till the 11th round of counting. Interestingly, Congress candidate KM Kemparaj who probably foresaw his defeat did not turn up at the counting centre.
Before leaving, Datta said that he was not disappointed as he had tasted defeat the last time too. He alleged that the BJP won because of consolidation of Lingayat community subsects and an expenditure of Rs 40 crore. BJP leaders and ministers stayed at the homes of Lingayat community people for over 10 days, he added.
The influence of caste and money is a dangerous trend and a severe blow to democracy. I am not a fugitive, so I will stay here and serve the poor and the needy, Datta added.
Jubilant BJP workers burst crackers outside the counting centre in the face of prohibitory orders and celebrated the victory. BJP MLAs DN Jeevaraj, DS Suresh and district BJP president MK Pranesh joined the crowd. Later Dr YC Vishwanath was taken out in a procession in a car along the main roads.
BJP candidate promises good works
Dr YC Vishwanath refuted the opposition charges of rampant malpractices in the byeelections and observed that party's charisma and good governance under the able leadership of BS Yeddyurappa helped him win. He said that he would make himself available to the people at all times.
To a question on how would he manage both his nursing home and legislative responsibilities, he replied that he would entrust the hospital work to his assistants and dedicate himself to the constituency. "Thrust areas are electricity, drinking water and improvement of roads. I will try to pump in more funds to the constituency as our government is in power. Yeddyurappa will adopt the constituency and develop it," he noted.
DC admits lapses
Deputy Commissioner NS Channappa Gowda told reporters at the counting centre on Thursday that administration is indebted to the people, political leaders and the media for peaceful byepolls.
Admitting that minor lapses might have crept in the electoral process, he observed that these lacunae would be rectified. 15 cases of violation of election model code of conduct have been booked.
The EC will look into them and the law will take its own course. A week's time is given to the candidates to submit their poll expenditure accounts, he noted.
On BJP supporters bursting crackers outside the college on BH road, though ban orders were in force, he said he would take care of it and ensure that order is maintained.
Central election observer Navdeep Rinwa and SP Vikas Kumar Viakas were present.