Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje / Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP/DV)
Updated
Bengaluru/Mangaluru, Dec 30: BJP candidate from Dakshina Kannada constituency Kota Srinivas Poojary and Congress candidate Pratapchandra Shetty have won the MLC election for the two seats from the constituency.
Poojary secured 2,977 first priority votes, while Congress candidate Pratapchandra Shetty got 2,237 first priority votes and independent candidate J P Hegde secured 872 first priority votes and independent candidate Harikrishna Bantwal got only 127 first priority votes. As the Congress and the BJP candidates secured more than the required quota of votes, they were declared winners without any more rounds of counting.
As soon as results were announced, both the camps erupted in joyful celebrations and dedicated their wins to the respective party workers.
Speaking to reporters, a jubilant Kota Srinivas Poojary said that he had won because of the efforts of his party workers. "I thank the BJP party workers for their efforts and for voting for me. I will do my best for the welfare of the people, and will try to implement Ramesh Kumar report on Panchayat Raj system. Whatever grants come to my quota, I will utilize them fully for the development of the constituency," he said.
Speaking to media, winning candidate Pratapchandra Shetty said, "This victory is because of the efforts of the Congress party workers and the united efforts of leaders in both the districts. I will work according to the guidance from the party. I dedicate this victory to the party workers."
Asked what his message would be to the two rebel candidates (Jayaprakash Hegde and Harikrishna Bantwal) who lost the elections, he said, "The party has already given a fitting reply to them."
He also dismissed a question on the letter he had written to party workers earlier stating that he would not contest the election, terming it a 'closed chapter'.
District in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai said, "Under the guidance of Oscar Fernandes, all party workers sincerely worked for the victory of our candidate Pratapchandra Shetty. There is no confusion in the Congress as alleged, but it is there in BJP."
Health minister U T Khader said, "This victory is because of the efforts of sincere party workers. They have brought more pride to the Congress by voting for Pratapchandra Shetty.
Urban development minister and Udupi district in-charge Vinay Kumar Sorake said, "This victory is the victory of Congress party. This victory reflects the sincere efforts of the chief minister, the KPCC president, Congress party leaders, and party workers who worked unitedly. When Congress was facing a tough situation, its party workers and leaders worked unitedly to bring victory to Pratapchandra Shetty.
"This is also a good sign for the upcoming ZP and taluk panchayat elections. Even in his earlier terms, Pratapchandra Shetty implemented programmes effectively. He also responded to the needs of panchayat members by touring various towns and villages. We also expecting BJP leader Eshwarappa's resignation," he added, referring to Eshwarappa's statement that he would quit politics if Congress was able to get even one seat more than BJP.
The procedure for the counting of votes for the elections to the legislative council constituencies began at 8 am in 20 counting centres across the state on Wednesday, December 30. The polling was held on Sunday, December 27. There are 125 candidates, including 60 independents, in the race.
In the state, BJP and Congress were neck-and-neck in the early trends, but as the counting progressed, Congress got the upper hand.
Total seats across the state: 25
Congress - 13
BJP - 6
JD(S) - 4
Others - 2
For the local Udupi-Dakshina Kannada constituency, counting is being done at Victoria Girls’ Composite PU College at Ladyhill. The process began at 8 am. Ballot boxes are being brought out to the counting centre from the security room where they were stored, in the presence of representatives of the contestants. All the ballot papers will be made into a bundle of 25 each and then they will be put in a drum. All the bundles will be mixed in the drum and will be sent to the 14 counting tables. The counting process will start at around 12 noon and the result will be out by 6 pm.
Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim and police commissioner S Murugan said that all the security measures are in place for the smooth counting. Sufficient security also has been arranged near the counting centre. 10 platoons of KSRP has also been called.
They are 8 contestants in the Dakshina Kannada constituency. They are Kota Srinivasa Poojary (BJP), Pratapchandra Shetty (Congress), S Prakash Shetty (JDS), Jayaprakash Hegde and Harikrishna Bantwal, Praveen Chandra Jain, Alphonso Franko, Ismail Doddamane (all independents). It should be remembered that Jayaprakash Hegde and Harikrishna Bantwal have been termed as Congress rebels as both of them contested after failing to secure Congress ticket.
Out of the 6,560 voters in the constituency, 6,534 had cast their votes on Sunday. By 10 am, 261 bundles were prepared for counting.
As per the communication from chief electoral officer in Bengaluru, adequate security arrangements have been made and the entire counting process will be recorded in video to maintain transparency.
Results from smaller constituencies like Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru with less than 2,000 votes each, will be out early. The results in the case of larger constituencies such as Vijayapura and Belagavi will take longer time. Results of other constituencies will come anytime depending on the type of contest and the number of ballot papers. But all the results will be out by evening.
The candidates, who secure 50 per cent votes plus one vote, will be declared as victors. However, if nobody secures the majority votes in the first preference round, then counting is furthered to second, third or more number of rounds.
There are 75 seats in the legislative council. Presently with the election being held for 20 constituencies, the existing 55 seats share is, BJP 23, Congress 17, JDS 6, Independent 3 and vacant 1. Total seats required to gain majority is 38. Even if the ruling party Congress wins all the seats contested it will still have a shortage of 1 seat. But winning all the 20 seats seem to be distant dream. Political analysts say Congress will have to wait till 2018 to get majority. 11 seats will fall vacant in June and July next year.