Category: Karnataka

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USIBC, Karnataka Govt Ink Tech-Innovation Pact

The agreement was signed during the India-USA Tech Conclave currently taking place on November 29 and 30 at Bangalore Palace and is the second consecutive year of partnership with the government of Karnataka by BTS…reports Asian Lite News

The U.S.-India Business Council and the Karnataka Innovation And Technology Society (KITS), Government of Karnataka, have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand collaboration in key industry sectors with a particular emphasis on information technology, biotechnology and electronics on Wednesday.

The agreement was signed during the India-USA Tech Conclave currently taking place on November 29 and 30 at Bangalore Palace and is the second consecutive year of partnership with the government of Karnataka by BTS.

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-India Business Council is pleased to announce its official partnership with the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) and its organization of the India-USA Tech Conclave currently taking place on November 29 and 30 at Bangalore Palace. This is the second consecutive year of partnership with the Government of Karnataka on BTS,” said the press statement by US-India Business council.

Leaders from the Government of Karnataka, including Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge participated in the Conclave.

Speaking at the event, Minister Kharge said, “The MoU between the Government of Karnataka and USIBC marks a significant step forward in strengthening the economic ties between Karnataka and the United States. As Government of Karnataka, we continuously strive to foster a conducive environment for American companies to establish, operate, and expand their businesses in Karnataka. The MoU emphasizes deepening engagement between the Government of Karnataka and USIBC to identify and address common challenges, facilitate collaboration between industries, and promote Karnataka as an attractive investment destination for American companies.”

The release read further, “The Bengaluru Tech Summit serves as a significant global hub fostering partnerships among technology companies, startups, venture capitalists, and research labs. The India-USA Tech Conclave spearheaded by USIBC is a platform that brings together influential leaders from both the government and industry to explore opportunities for increased collaboration, investment and to address policy and regulatory issues that deepen synergies between the Indian and American innovation and creativity ecosystems.”

Jacob Gullish, USIBC Executive Director, Digital Economy said, “The formalization of this MOU between USIBC and the Government of Karnataka signifies the role of states in furthering the India-U.S. strategic partnership. The partnership will enhance communication channels between USIBC member companies and their nodal partners through industry workshops and corporate sessions. Furthermore, these sessions will foster dialogue on common challenges, economic policies, and collaborative opportunities in Karnataka.”

USIBC, a long-time advocate for a robust U.S.-India space relationship, especially in commercial space, leveraged the India-USA Tech Conclave to further the dialogue on India-U.S. commercial space collaboration. This year’s Conclave was focused on critical and emerging technologies, specifically shaping the commercial space frontier and fostering long-term relationships between entrepreneurs and startups. Initiatives between USIBC and the Government of Karnataka in the sectors of information technology, biotechnology, and electronics were also in focus.

Furthermore, USIBC has consistently championed the enhancement of collaborative efforts between the U.S. and India in research and development within India. We are pleased that the India-USA Tech Conclave will continue to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to future innovations in both the technology and healthcare sectors.

U.S.-India Business Council Established in 1975 at the behest of the U.S. and Indian Governments, the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) represents hundreds of top global companies operating across the United States, India, and the Indo-Pacific.

Amid dynamic growth within the U.S.-India commercial partnership, we serve as the premier voice of industry and create connections between businesses and governments across both countries. Through our flagship Washington, D.C. and New Delhi offices and presences across both countries, we work with members to identify and advance key policy priorities.

Recognizing that U.S.- India trade is increasingly driven by new business hubs, USIBC is also focused on strengthening connections between cities and states. USIBC’s policy expertise and impact is enhanced by being a part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, whose thousands of member companies represent the power of free enterprise to enhance the peace, freedom, and security of people in America and around the world, said the release. (ANI)

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Karnataka Allows Students to Wear Hijab During Exams

The Hijab row erupted in January 2022 when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering…reports Asian Lite News

In a progress review meeting held under the leadership of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and State Education Minister MC Sudhakar, it was decided that the students will be allowed to wear a Hijab while writing the exams.

Clearing air over wearing a Hijab while writing exams, Sudhakar said that “people are trying to create controversy in the matter of writing exams while wearing hijab, the minister lashed out that some people are there just to create confusion.”

“I have taken measures in view of everyone’s freedom”, he said.

“It is allowed to write the NEET exam wearing hijab,” Sudhakar added.

He clarified that the examinees can write exams by wearing the clothes they want.

The Hijab row erupted in January 2022 when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering. Following this, the girls protested outside the college over being denied entry.

After this, boys from several colleges in Udupi started attending classes wearing saffron scarves. This protest spread to other parts of the state as well leading to protests and agitations in several places in Karnataka.

Two weeks ago, the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts Religious Fair Businessmen’s Coordination Committee is demanding that Muslims be allowed to carry on their trade on the premises of temples, while temple managements have continued to impose restrictions on them in the communally sensitive coastal districts.

The committee members had submitted a complaint regarding the boycott of Muslim traders in the Navaratri fare at the historical Mangaladevi Temple in Mangaluru city in Dakshina Kannada district.

The temple management had taken a decision not to allow Muslim traders to participate in the fair and initiated the process of allotting stalls to businessmen on the Rathabeedi Street opposite the temple that belongs to the Mangaluru City Corporation. However, for years, the temple management has been organising its fairs here.

Following the hijab row, a boycott call was given by Hindu organisations after Muslim bodies staged a protest against the court order banning the hijab in classrooms.

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Siddaramaiah has his task cut out as CM

Siddaramaiah,74, launched several welfare schemes during his five-year tenure as Chief Minister from 2013 and it helped the Congress campaign during the assembly polls which had several people-oriented promises…reports Asian Lite News

A seasoned political leader with socialist leanings, Siddaramaiah is set to be Karnataka Chief Minister for a second term with the Congress leadership deciding to entrust him with the task that entails quick delivery on the promises to people including “five guarantees”.

A leader with strong grassroots connect, Siddaramaiah has been associated with the formulation of state budgets for several years and has an eye for detail.

The Congress leadership, which had to make a choice between him and state Congress chief DK Shivakumar for the post of Chief Minister following an emphatic win in the assembly polls earlier this month, apparently felt that the former Chief Minister’s wide administrative experience will come handy in implementing manifesto promises in view of their financial implication.

Karnataka has complex caste equations and a history of voting out incumbent governments. Only three Chief Ministers before Siddaramaiah – S Nijalingappa (1962 and 1967, three terms including 1956); D Devaraj Urs (1972 and 1978) and RK Hegde (1983 and 1985) had two terms as Chief Minister.

Siddaramaiah,74, launched several welfare schemes during his five-year tenure as Chief Minister from 2013 and it helped the Congress campaign during the assembly polls which had several people-oriented promises.

During his long political career, Siddaramaiah has lost elections but has bounced back due to his strong determination and his quest for “social justice”.

Siddaramaiah was expelled from Janata Dal (Secular) following differences with its leadership and joined the Congress in the presence of the then party chief Sonia Gandhi in 2006.

Born on August 12, 1948 in Siddaramanahundi village of Mysore district in a farming family, Siddaramaiah belongs to the Kuruba community. He faced struggle during his initial years of education and later pursued BSc and Bachelor of Law.

His political innings began in 1978 when he became a member of Taluk Development Board. Siddaramaiah entered electoral politics by contesting Lok Sabha elections from Mysore in 1980. Though he did not win the election, he continued his fight.

He contested from Chamundeshwari in the 1983 assembly elections as a Lok Dal candidate and won. He extended support to the then Ramakrishna Hegde government and was made Chairman of the Kannada Watchdog Committee.

In the mid-term polls to the legislative assembly, Siddaramaiah contested as a candidate of the Janata Party and was re-elected. He has served as Finance, Transport and Animal Husbandry and Sericulture Minister in Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah went with the parent party during the split in Janata Dal in 1989 and contested the 1994 legislative assembly election as a Janata Dal candidate. He won and entered the assembly for the third time.

Siddaramaiah became the Finance Minister in the cabinet of then Karnataka Chief Minister HD Deve Gowda.

Siddaramaiah recalled that when he was preparing his first budget as the Finance Minister, there were jibes like ‘what does a shepherd know about finance?’

“But I did not pay heed to such insults. Instead, I took it as a challenge and later presented thirteen budgets which were hailed by eminent economists,” he said.

After Deve Gowda became the Prime Minister in 1996, Siddaramaiah was elevated as Deputy Chief Minister in JH Patel cabinet.

During the Janata Dal split in 1999, he identified with Janata Dal (Secular). He won the 2004 assembly election and became Deputy Chief Minister in the Congress-JD(S) coalition government.

However, there emerged differences between him and Deve Gowda and he was expelled from the JD(S) for his AHINDA activities.

He spearheaded AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) conventions in various places of Karnataka to hear their concerns.

“It was always felt that minorities, backward classes and Dalits were marginalized and not given their due opportunity. I wanted to ensure social justice in all political and administrative platforms,” he had said.

The social coalition that he sought to build helped Congress in subsequent elections.

Joining Congress in 2006 became a turning point in his political career. Siddaramaiah won from Chamundeshwari in a bypoll. When assembly constituencies were reorganized in 2008, he entered the assembly from Varuna and was appointed leader of the opposition.

Siddaramaiah travelled through Karnataka in the 2013 assembly elections in which Congress won an absolute majority. After becoming Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah worked to fulfil the promises made by the party to the people. He announced several welfare programmes for the poor including Anna Bhagya.

Siddaramaiah was the leader of the coordination committee of the Congress-JD(S) government, which was formed after the 2018 elections, but collapsed subsequently due to the resignation of MLAs.

Siddaramaiah was the Leader of Oppostion in the outgoing assembly.

Congress won 135 seats in the 224-member Karnataka assembly pushing BJP to 66 seats in the results declared on May 13.

Siddaramaiah’s test will be to quickly deliver on manifesto promises to help his party carry the momentum of its election victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Congress will work for people in Karnataka, says Sachin Pilot

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Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar meet Rahul, Priyanka

The two leaders were also supposed to meet party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to invite him for the swearing in ceremony…reports Asian Lite News

A day before the oath taking ceremony in Bengaluru, Karnataka Chief Minister designate Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar, the Deputy Chief Minister designate, on Friday met former party chief Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to invite them for the ceremony.

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar both arrived in the national capital on Friday afternoon to meet senior party leaders and invite them for the swearing-in ceremony scheduled in Bengaluru on Saturday.

After the meeting with the two Karnataka leaders, Rahul Gandhi took to Facebook and wrote: “Our focus is to fulfil the 5 Guarantees and build a better future for the people of Karnataka.”

He attached pictures of him with Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar and Priyanka Gandhi.

The two leaders were also supposed to meet party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to invite him for the swearing in ceremony and to also discuss the cabinet formation in the southern state.

However, party General Secretary KC Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala met Kharge at his residence.

Surjewala and Venugopal then left the Congress president’s residence. Soon after, Venugopal arrived at his residence with Surjewala, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar too joined them.

Siddaramaiah has also visited Saravana Bhavan in Connaught Place.

According to party sources, the party leaders are discussing the cabinet ministers and their strength. The source said that the party might decide on the number of cabinet ministers by night.

Speaking to the media here, Kharge’s son Priyank Kharge, who also won in Karnataka Assembly polls, said: “The nominated CM and Deputy CM have come to take the final decision on the Council of Ministers.”

He said, after having words with the general secretary in-charge and preparing final list, they will take it to the Congress president.

Taking a swipe at the BJP, the Congress MLA said: “The BJP should think about why they lost the election and how much division is there in their party. People of Karnataka have voted for development.”

The Congress has announced LoP in the outgoing assembly Siddaramaiah as Karnataka’s chief minister designate while it announced party’s state unit chief DK Shivakumar as the deputy chief minister designate in the state.

The party also said that Shivakumar will be the only Dy CM in the southern state and he will also continue as the state unit chief of the party till Lok Sabha elections next year.

The Congress had triumphed in Karnataka by winning 135 out of 224 seats in the southern state while the ruling BJP was reduced to 66 seats. The JD-S which was hoping to play the role of ‘kingmaker’ in the state was also reduced to 19 seats.

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Shivakumar breaks down after victory

Bengaluru, May 13 (ANI): Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar speaks after winning the Karnataka Assembly elections, in Bengaluru on Saturday. (ANI Photo)

Shivakumar thanked the voters of Karnataka for giving a majority to the Congress….reports Asian Lite News

Congress’ Karnataka President D.K. Shivakumar broke down after defeating his BJP rival R. Ashoka by a whopping 76,408 votes in Kanakapura Assembly constituency.

Addressing reporters, Shivakumar said that the “BJP had hatched a conspiracy and gave me options of whether going to the prison or joining BJP. I opted to go to the prison. Sonia Gandhi met me in the Tihar jail, she believed me so much”.

Shivakumar could not control his emotions and started crying while speaking.

“I had given a promise. I have kept my word of achieving victory in the state to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge,” he said.

Shivakumar thanked the voters of Karnataka for giving a majority to the Congress.

“This victory was possible due to the efforts of party workers and leaders. This success has not come from a single person. I congratulate Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah and others,” he said.

Kumaraswamy wins but son Nikhil loses

In a shock to former PM H.D. Deve Gowda’s family, his grandson and JD-S candidated Nikhil Kumaraswamy lost the Ramnagar seat to Congress candidate H.A. Iqbal Hussain.

Hussain polled 72,898 votes and Kumaraswamy secured 61,692 votes. BJP candidate Gautham Gowda managed to get only 10,870 votes. This is the second defeat for Kumaraswamy. His mother Anita Kumaraswamy represented the seat earlier.

Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar had appealed to the voters to support his party candidate as Nikhil Kumaraswamy can get opportunities in future.

Conceding the defeat, his father and former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy stated that he will accept the victory and defeat in the same spirit. H.D. Kumaraswamy won against the BJP’s C.P. Yogeshwar in Channapatna.

‘Hanuman belongs to all’

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday expressed happiness over the emphatic victory of his Congress in Karnataka, saying that people have proven the fact Lord Hanuman belongs to all and not only to those who vote for the BJP.

Gehlot, who reached the Mahangai Rahat Camp in Hariyadhana village of Bilada area in Jodhpur, said that the people of Karnataka have given a befitting reply to the BJP.

He also termed the election result a reaction to the treatment of Rahul Gandhi.

“A case was registered against Rahul Gandhi in Surat by making an issue of the statement made by his. Due to this, his MP title was snatched away. It was a conspiracy, which the public has understood. Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to speak in the House. He was suspended from the House. The people of Karnataka have now given an answer to the BJP for all these deeds,” he said.

On the poll results, he said: “The result has come as I had expected. I had also gone to Karnataka two-three times. People thronged Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra. It was clear – looking at it – that what the result will be. The hard work of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and D.K. Shivakumar paid off. All the people supported the Congress.”

On the Bajrang Dal row, he questioned: “Is it that those voting for the BJP are the devotees of Bajrangbali and the one who does not vote for the BJP cannot be a devotee of Bajrang Bali. The people of Karnataka have made it clear that Hanuman belongs to everyone.”

He said that the people of Karnataka have understood the manner in which the BJP is toppling opposition governments. “There was a conspiracy to topple the governments in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh. In fact, they could not do it in Rajasthan as we did not let the government fall.

“Now that the results of Karnataka have come, the public has understood their (the BJP’s) gimmicks. The public has come to know that they are toppling the elected government by horse-trading, buying and selling, then how will democracy stay strong? In such cases, democracy will be weakened and the people of the country will never tolerate this,” he added.

ALSO READ: Big win for Congress in Karnataka

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Now, focus on who will be the CM

Bengaluru :Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar during a India Today conclave, in Bengaluru on Saturday, April 22, 2023. (Photo:IANS)

Sources explained that the high command is coming up with a 50:50 formula for Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah..reports Asian Lite News

After the thumping victory in Karnataka, the focus in Congress party has now shifted on who will become the Chief Minister.

Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar are in the forefront for the coveted post and both are looking at the high command for its decision.

Siddaramaiah, while answering a question on who will become the CM, stated on Saturday that the high command will take the opinion of newly-elected MLAs and a decision would be taken accordingly. The observers will be sent here by the high command and a decision would be taken later after consultations and due process, he added.

Shivakumar also maintained that the high command will take a call.

Sources explained that the high command is coming up with a 50:50 formula for Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, as the stakes are huge for the party in the runup to the Lok Sabha elections.

Siddaramaiah is known as the mass leader of Ahinda (Alpsankhyak, Hindulida and Dalit) group comprising minorities, backwards and Dalits. He played a crucial role in policy making and manifesto promises. He is also known for his stinging criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the RSS.

Shivakumar had built the party from the scratch in the state when BJP poached its top leaders, including sitting ministers in 2019. He organised the party and pooled in resources. He hails from the prominent Vokkaliga community and managed to get the majority of votes from them for the Congress party.

ALSO READ: Big win for Congress in Karnataka

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Party will introspect setback, says Yediyurappa

Earlier, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai conceded defeat and said that the BJP will come back victorious in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls…reports Asian Lite News

As Congress surged ahead on Saturday in the Karnataka assembly elections results, Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader BS Yediyurappa said victory and defeat are not new for the party and it will introspect the setback.

The Congress is on its way to scoring an emphatic victory in the Karnataka polls. Congress is at 136 including 10 seats that the party has won so far and 126 seats where it is leading. BJP continues to lead in 60 seats. “Victory and defeat aren’t new to BJP. Party workers need not be panicked by these results. We will introspect about the party’s setback. I respectfully accept this verdict,” said BJP leader Yediyurappa on the party’s defeat in Karnataka.

Earlier, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai conceded defeat and said that the BJP will come back victorious in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Congress surged ahead as it lead in 124 seats at noon while the BJP was ahead in 69 seats and JD(S) at 24 seats.

Bommai said that once the results will be out a detailed analysis will be done to analyse the gaps that were left at various levels.

“We’ve not been able to make the mark. Once the results come we will do a detailed analysis. As a national party, we will not only analyse but also see what deficiencies and gaps were left at various levels. We take this result in our stride,” said Basavaraj Bommai.

He further added that all the efforts put in by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP workers weren’t able to make the mark.

“In spite of a lot of efforts put in by PM and BJP workers, we’ve not been able to make the mark. Once the full results come we’ll do a detailed analysis. We take this result in our stride to come back in Lok Sabha elections,” said Bommai.

Bommai had earlier said that he was confident of a BJP victory.

Meanwhile, Bommai’s convoy got stuck in Haveri as Congress workers on the route cheered their party’s win.

The counting of votes began at 8 am amid tight security across the state.

The exit polls predicted a hung assembly with some showing Congress returning to power with a majority. A few exit polls also showed BJP ahead.

If there is a hung assembly, Janata Dal (Secular) can play the role of a kingmaker.

The fiercely contested election that saw high-pitch campaigns from the political parties is crucial for both BJP and Congress. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Big win for Congress in Karnataka

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Lingayat factor deals blow to BJP

The All India Veerashaiva Community of the Lingayats also openly extended their support to the Congress and this was a major boost for the Congress..reports Asian Lite News

The massive victory of the Congress in the seven districts of north Karnataka is considered as a major setback for the BJP in its bastion.

The BJP, which held 40 seats out of the 56 in the region (after defections), was trailing in several constituencies.

In Belagavi, Uttar Kannada, Haveri, Gadag, Vijayapura, Bagalokot, and Dharwad, the presence of the Lingayat community is high and the community, which has been traditional supporters of the BJP, seemed to have supported the Congress this time, the results showed.

Even though former Chief Minister, Jagadish Shettar, who had switched from the BJP to the Congress, lost this seat of Hubbali-Central Dharwad, the manner in which he was forced to leave the BJP was not taken well by the Lingayat community.

The All India Veerashaiva Community of the Lingayats also openly extended their support to the Congress and this was a major boost for the Congress in the run-up to the elections.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, who had also left the BJP for the Congress, has won from his traditional seat of Athani in Belagavi district. Savadi is a powerful leader belonging to the Lingayat community and he was also forced out of the BJP by the party leadership including B.L. Santhosh and Basavaraj Bommai.

These two high-profile exits from the BJP seem to have affected the saffron party in north Karnataka which has been a bastion of the BJP for years, and will lead to several questions for the party’s national leadership.

ALSO READ: Big win for Congress in Karnataka

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Hijab protests leader Fatima wins in Karnataka

Kaneez Fatima defeated BJP’s Chandrakant B Patil by 2712 votes…reports Asian Lite News

Congress MLA Kaneez Fatima, who emerged as a strong figure during Karnataka’s hijab demonstrations, has won the Uttar Gulbarga constituency in the Karnataka assembly elections. She had also won the same seat in the 2018 Assembly polls.

She defeated BJP’s Chandrakant B Patil by 2712 votes.

In late 2021, the Karnataka BJP government banned girls and women from wearing hijabs in state-run institutions and universities. This resulted in rallies and counter-protests leading to tensions in the state.

Kaneez was among a few Congress leaders who stood with the protesting Muslim female students.

In February 2022, Kaneez had demonstrated outside the District collector’s office in Kalaburagi demanding state government of the time to take back its hijab ban decision.

She has also challenged the state government to stop her from wearing a hijab to the Assembly elections which just concluded with a sweeping majority in favour of Congress.

Earlier in 2019, she also participated in a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Kaneez was one of eight Muslim candidates picked by the Congress to contest the Assembly elections. In February last year, Fatima had gathered outside the District Collector’s office in Kalaburagi to stage a protest against the Karnataka government’s decision to restrict the wearing of hijab in classrooms in the state. The state Education Department had ordered that all schools under it had to adhere to the dress code –  that clothes which disturb equality, integrity, and public order will be banned.

Kaneez protested against the ban saying that the girls were being oppressed and denied their right to education. Claiming that the BJP was trying to rake up communal tensions, she led a group of students who protested against the hijab ban. She had challenged the state government to stop her from wearing a hijab to the Assembly.

Before that, in December 2019, Kaneez had protested against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) alongside Chittapur MLA Priyank Kharge in Kalaburagi town.

ALSO READ: Big win for Congress in Karnataka

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K’taka polls: 3 candidates win by margin of less than 300 votes

Among other tightly-fought competitions, Congress’ T.D. Rajegowda defeated BJP’s D.N. Jeevaraya by a margin of 201 votes from Sringeri Assembly seat….reports Asian Lite News

The Congress is also set to return to power in Karnataka with a historic mandate on Saturday, but some of its candidates won by small margins of less than 300 votes, including former state unit chief Dinesh Gundu Rao.

As per the Election Commission, Rao, who contested from the Gandhinagar Assembly seat, managed to win by 105 votes – the smallest margin in the state – against BJP’s Sapthagiri Gowda A.R. On the other hand, Congress state chief D.K. Shivakumar won from his Kanakpura seat by a margin of 122,392 votes over his JD-S rival B. Nagaraju, pushing the BJP to the third place.

Among other tightly-fought competitions, Congress’ T.D. Rajegowda defeated BJP’s D.N. Jeevaraya by a margin of 201 votes from Sringeri Assembly seat.

Congress’ K.Y. Nanjegowda also defeated BJP’s K.S. Magunta Gowda by a thin margin of 248 votes from Malur Assembly seat.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Sowmya Reddy was leading BJP’s C.K. Ramamurthy by a margin of 294 votes from Jayanagar Assembly constituency.

BJP’s Dinakar Keshav Shetty defeated JD-S candidate Suraj Naik Soni by a margin of 676 votes from the Kumta assembly seat.

The Congress is all set to win 136 seats in the southern state where the polling for the 224 member Assembly took place on May 10, whereas the BJP is set to win on 65 seats and the JD-S 19. The remaining four were won by two small parties (one each) and two Independents.

ALSO READ: Big win for Congress in Karnataka