BJP's gamble to defeat Siddaramaiah fails

Bengaluru: The BJP’s gamble of fielding Karnataka minister V. Somanna from two constituencies appeared to fail as he is trailing in both seats.

The gamble is aimed at defeating Opposition leader Siddaramaiah in his home turf Varuna constituency but it is likely to fall flat.

According to the official numbers, Siddaramaiah’s lead has increased by 2,710 votes in Varuna. The Congress leader secured 6,576 votes and Somanna polled only 3,886 so far.

Siddaramaiah registered a lead of 1,224 at the end of second round itself.

In Chamarajanagar seat, which was considered to be a cakewalk for Somanna, the opposition Congress candidate Puttaranga Setty has obtained a whopping lead of 12,707 votes.

Somanna was denied a ticket to contest from Govindarajanagar seat in Bengaluru by the BJP. The party had given a ticket to former corporator Umesh Shetty there.

JD (S) candidate Bharathi Shankar, who was fielded to divide the votes of oppressed classes, especially those of the Dalits, managed to get 240.