Karnataka Bypoll 2018 LIVE: EVM Snag Hits Voting in Jhamkhandi, Mandya; BJP Agents Barred from Booths in Ramanagara

Karnataka Bypolls: Voting Turnout till 1 PM:

Shimoga- 30.20%

Mandya- 26.80%

Bellary- 35.72%

Jamakhandi- 43.50%

Ramananagar-  39.81%

An issue has been reported in the voting machine of Hirepadasalagi’s booth 50 in Jhamakhandi constituency. Due to this, the polling process here has been suspended since the past 20 minutes.Voting is underway in Karnataka for three parliamentary seats - Bellary, Shimoga and Mandya - and two assembly seats of Jamkhandi and Ramanagaram. 

Voting at Mandya's polling booth number 90, situated in Nagamanala has been delayed. This is due to a technical snag that has developed in the booth’s voting machine.  Voters have been reportedly waiting for 15 minutes now and the polling process is expected to resume shortly.

Karnataka bypoll 2018: Voter turnout at 11AM:

Shimoga - 17.37 %​
Bellary - 24.58%​
Mandya - 13.36%
Ramanagara - 21.51%
Jamkhandi - 22.3%

Madhuu Bangarappa, who is contesting for JDS-congress in Shimoga is seen with wife Anitha, after casting his vote. The ruling Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress combine reluctantly entered the Lok Sabha fray, criticising the Election Commission for conducting the Lok Sabha bypolls for a short tenure of just six months. After initial hiccups, they managed to field joint candidates in all five seats, causing a minor revolt in Gowda strongholds of Mandya and Ramanagara. 

 About 6 per cent of the electorate cast their votes Saturday in the first two hours of polling for the by-elections to three Lok Sabha and two assembly constituencies in Karnataka. While the Lok Sabha constituencies of Shivamogga, Ballari and Mandya recorded 7.16 per cent, 4.4 per cent and 4.18 per cent voting respectively till 9 am, Ramanagara and Jamkhandi assembly constituencies have recorded 7.34 and 9 per cent polling.  Voting began at 7 am and will go on till 6 pm.  A total of 54,54,275 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in about 6,450 polling stations. There are a total 31 candidates in the fray in all the five constituencies, though the contest is mainly between the Congress-JD(S) combine and the BJP.

Former chief minister of Karnataka and BJP leader Jagadish Shettar said, “Shimoga is our seat and we have won it several times in the past, and we will win the seat again.”  He added that the party hopes to perform well in the parliamentary constituency of Mandya as well. When asked about L Chandashekhar ‘s decision to withdraw from contest in Ramanagara, Shettar said that BJP gives ticked based on trust and what has happened “is a breach of trust.” 

BJP polling agents not allowed at polling booths in Ramanagara Assembly seat as its candidate L Chandashekhar withdrew from contest and has asked the EC to not let BJP agents vote. The BJP suffered a big jolt after its pick L Chandrashekhar withdrew from the contest, accusing state BJP leaders of “non-cooperation and disinterest”. After the dramatic development, the JD(S) even stopped campaigning in Ramanagara. 

Anand Nyamagouda, who is the Congress candidate from legislative assembly constituency of Jamkhandi casts his vote.

#KarnatakaByElection2018: Anand Nyamagouda, Congress candidate from legislative assembly constituency of Jamkhandi casts his vote at polling booth number 125. pic.twitter.com/JAcCf7zWto

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2018

According to New Indian Express, Dalits in Kudregundi colony boycott polls in Maddur for denying title deeds to land they are in position for many years. Tasildar is reported to visit the colony and appeals to the people to exercise their franchise. The ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka faces a litmus test as three Lok Sabha and two assembly constituencies go to bypolls today, the outcome of which is expected to have a bearing on the state’s political scene.

Mandy Parliamentary bypoll voter turn-out percentage at 9 AM:

Mandya AC: 4 %
Malavalli AC: 3.21%
Melkote AC: 4.43%
K.R.Pete AC: 4.50%
Maddur AC: 5.17%
Srirangapatna AC: 4.39%
Nagamangala AC: 4.23 %
K.R.Nagar AC: 3.54 %​
Mandya Parliamentary Constituency total: 4.18%

Voting turnout percentage at 9:00 AM for the Karnataka bypolls:

Shimoga: 8.61%

Bellary: 4.40%

Jamakhandi:  9%

Ramanagr:  8%

Voting is underway in Karnataka for three parliamentary seats - Bellary, Shimoga and Mandya - and two assembly seats of Jamkhandi and Ramanagaram. 

Voting at a polling booth in Mottedoddi of Ramanagaram was temporarily stalled, after a snake was found inside the polling centre. The process of voting resumed shortly after the snake was safely removed from the premises. 

#WATCH: A snake being removed from polling booth 179 in Mottedoddi of Ramanagaram. The voting was delayed after it was spotted and resumed soon after it was removed. #KarnatakaByElection2018 pic.twitter.com/W1XrDeIP3z

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2018

Karnataka bypoll 2018: Snake Found in Polling Booth | Voting at a polling booth in Mottedoddi of Ramanagaram was temporarily stalled, after a snake was found inside the polling centre. The process of voting resumed shortly after the snake was safely removed from the premises. 

#WATCH: A snake being removed from polling booth 179 in Mottedoddi of Ramanagaram. The voting was delayed after it was spotted and resumed soon after it was removed. #KarnatakaByElection2018 pic.twitter.com/W1XrDeIP3z

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2018

People queue up to cast their votes in a village of Jamakhandi at the Karnataka bypolls 2018.

Karnataka: People queue up outside booth no. 50 in Hirepadasalgi village of Jamkhandi to cast their votes for #KarnatakaByElection2018. pic.twitter.com/sWM7AqQjXO

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2018

Polling underway at Mandya in Karnataka, which is one of the three Lok Sabha constituencies to go to bypolls today, the outcome of which is expected to have a bearing on the state’s political scene.

Shimoga has witnessed a voting turnout of  8.61% at 9:00, while the Bellary polling percentage at 9:00 was 4.40%.Voting for the bypolls to the three Lok Sabha and two assembly constituencies in Karnataka began earlier today, and is seen as a litmus test for the ruling Congress-JDS coalition. Bypolls to Shivamogga, Mandya, and Ramanagara Lok Sabha seats, and Ballari and Jamkhandi assembly segments began at 7 am and will go on till 6 pm.  A total of 54,54,275 voters are eligible to cast their franchise in about 6,450 polling stations.

Earlier on Wednesday, Karnataka Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao, CLP leader Siddhahramiah, along with other leaders addressed a massive rally in Jamakhandi, to seek votes for Anand Nyamagouda in Karnataka bypoll 2018. 

@KPCCPresident Shri. @dineshgrao, CLP leader Shri. @siddaramaiah, Shri. @eshwar_khandre, & other leaders addressed a massive rally in #Jamakhandi to seek votes for Anand Nyamagouda in the by-election. Response of the crowd was very encouraging. pic.twitter.com/UILYkEvMsn

— Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) November 1, 2018

Former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa with son Y B Raghvendra after casting vote at the Karnataka bypolls. 

ನನ್ನ ಮತದಾನದ ಹಕ್ಕನ್ನು ಚಲಾಯಿಸಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ನೀವು..?
ತಪ್ಪದೇ ಚುನಾವಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿ, ಅತೀ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮತದಾನ ಮಾಡಿ... pic.twitter.com/dZij0kxnss

— B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) November 3, 2018

Karnataka bypolls: BJP Candidate from Jamjkandi Votes | BJP's Srikant Kulkarni, who is pitted against  Congress candidate Anand Nyamagowda in Jamkhandi, casts his vote in Karnataka bypolls for three Lok Sabha seats — Ballari, Shivamogga and Mandya — and for the Ramanagara and Jamkhandi assembly segments.

#KarnatakaByElection2018: BJP candidate Srikant Kulkarni casts his vote at booth no. 150 in Hirepadasalgi village of Jamkhandi. Voting for 3 parliamentary constituencies Bellary, Shimoga, Mandya & 2 legislative assembly constituencies Jamkhandi, Ramanagaram began at 7 am today. pic.twitter.com/sQA72sbM2q

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2018

Former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa casts his vote at a polling booth in ward no 132 at Shikaripura in Shimoga.

Former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa casts his vote at a polling booth in ward no 132 at Shikaripura in Shimoga. Voting for 3 parliamentary constituencies Bellary, Shimoga, Mandya&2 legislative assembly constituencies Jamkhandi, Ramanagaram began at 7 am today. #KarnatakaByElection pic.twitter.com/6SIbyGRZ1q

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2018

Former Raichur MP S Pakkirappa after voting in Ballari city. (Source: Facebook/ S Pakkirappa Abimani Balaga)

Former chief minister and BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa casts vote in Shikaripura along with son BY Raghavendra, who is the party’s candidate from Shimoga. Yeddyurappa exuding confidence, earlier said that he is certain that his party will emerge victorious in the Karnataka bypolls for three Lok Sabha seats — Ballari, Shivamogga and Mandya — and for the Ramanagara and Jamkhandi assembly segments.

According to political pundits, a win for the JD(S) in Mandya, Ramanagara and Shimoga will be a temporary setback for the BJP and would harm the Congress in the long-run.

Another keenly watched contest is the Bellary Lok Sabha seat where the Congress has gone all out. Former CM Siddaramaiah's confidant VS Ugrappa is the Congress-JD(S) candidate here against BJP strongman B Sriramulu's sister and former MP J Shantha. More than 100 Congress and JD(S) leaders have campaigned in Bellary, asking voters to end the “reign” of mining barons, the Reddy brothers. Interestingly, both HD Deve Gowda and Siddaramaiah campaigner here extensively. 

Karnataka bypoll 2018: Battle for Prestige | Faced with an acute shortage of candidates who could take on BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa's son and former MP BY Raghavendra in the prestigious Shimoga Lok Sabha seat, the Congress has backed JDS candidate and former MLA Madhu Bangarappa.  Madhu, whose father S Bangarappa was a chief minister and four-time MP from Shimoga, is seeking votes in the name of his late father who lost his last election to Raghavendra in 2009. It’s a battle of prestige for both the JD(S) and Congress. Yeddyurappa’s pitch to voters has been that a win for his son would empower him more. Madhu Bangarappa's candidature has made an otherwise one-sided election interesting. 

By-elections are being held in three Lok Sabha and two Assembly constituencies in Karnataka on Saturday, the outcome of which will have a bearing on the political scene in the run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Bypolls in Bellary, Shimoga and Mandya Lok Sabha seats, and Ramanagara and Jamkhandi Assembly seats were necessitated by the resignation of three MPs and one MLA, and the death of another MLA.

Karnataka bypolls: Prominent Candidates | The bypolls brought to fore family politics with kin of several leaders being fielded. In Jamkhandi, Congress candidate Anand Nyamagowda, son  of former MLA Siddu Nyamagouda, is pitted against Srikant  Kulkarni of the BJP. In Shivamogga, state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa's son, B  Y Raghavendra, is testing his fortunes against another former chief minister S Bangarappa's son, Madhu Bangarappa, of the JDS. In Ballari, senior BJP leader Sriramulu's sister, J Shantha, is fighting against V S Ugrappa of the Congress, considered an outsider. In the Vokkaliga bastion of Mandya, JDS' Shivarame Gowda, is pitted against a fresh face in Dr Siddaramaiah, a  retired Commercial Tax officer from the BJP.

Karnataka bypolls: BJP Candidate Withdraws Due to 'Lack of Support' | Among the most eminent candidates in the fray is Chief  Minister H D Kumaraswamy's wife, Anita Kumaraswamy, who is expected to have a smooth sail in Ramanagara after BJP nominee L Chandrashekhar withdrew from the contest and rejoined the Congress. The BJP had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission about the developments in Ramanagara and requested  it to "annul" the elections immediately. 

The Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular), who came together in a post-poll alliance after the assembly elections in May threw up a hung House, have decided to fight the polls unitedly against the Bharatiya Janata Party. While the Congress has fielded its candidates in Jamkhandi and Ballari, the JDS is contesting in Shivamogga,  Ramanagara and Mandya under an electoral understanding.The outcome of the by-elections is expected to have a bearing on the alliance between the two ruling parties for the parliamentary polls and also be a factor in determining the respective bargaining power. The BJP, which has been questioning the longevity of the coalition government, has predicted its fall once the bypoll  results are out.