Lok Sabha elections 2024 | Former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy close to finish line in Mandya seat in Karnataka
The Hindu
The constituency was represented by Sumalatha Ambareesh who had won as an independent in the 2019 parliamentary elections with backing of the BJP. She had campaigned for the BJP in the Assembly polls of 2023.
Janata Dal (Secular) president and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was ahead of his rivals after 18 rounds of counting in the prestigious battle for Mandya parliamentary seat in Karnataka.
Mr. Kumaraswamy had polled 8,21,172 votes while his nearest rival Venkataramane Gowda (alias ‘Star’ Chandru) of the Congress had polled 5,46,020 votes in the Vokkaliga heartland. The bulk of the votes have been counted, and only the postal ballots remain to be accounted for. While two more rounds of counting in three Assembly segments pending, it appears that Mr.Kumaraswamy has established an unassailable lead over his Congress rival.
Karnataka Election Results 2024 LIVE updates
The constituency was represented by Sumalatha Ambareesh who had won as an independent in the 2019 parliamentary elections with backing of the BJP. She had campaigned for the BJP in the Assembly polls of 2023.
The BJP, on its part, had persuaded Sumalatha Ambareesh to refrain from seeking re-election. The latter not only agreed but also joined the BJP, which prevented a three-way split of votes in the constituency.
Though the electoral face-off was between H.D. Kumaraswamy and Venkataramane Gowda, it was also reckoned to be a fight for the Vokkaliga leadership in the agrarian district involving Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of the Congress who is positioning himself as a prominent leader of the community.
Though there are 15 candidates in the fray, the battle for Mandya is perceived to be a direct contest between the NDA represented by its ally — the JD (S) — and the Congress in the absence of any ‘notable other’. After 18 rounds of counting, NOTA (None Of the Above) is in the third place with as many as 7,425 votes.
CPI(M) activists in Ongole demand the continuation of the old MGNREGA scheme to ensure financial security for rural communities.
The group of doctors arrested in connection with the November 10 Red Fort car-borne suicide attack that killed over a dozen people, were allegedly conspiring to bomb the outlets of a global coffee chain, whose founder is a Jew, a source in the government told The Hindu.
A communication from British Council Chennai notes the physical library shuts down on February 15. Library services will however continue in an enhanced digital format. In a larger development, the Council will be shifting to a new space, relinquishing its famous address, 737 Anna Salai
Neelambur junction in Coimbatore faces severe evening traffic congestion, prompting calls for immediate management and infrastructure improvements.
Sunetra Pawar is set to become Maharashtra's first woman Deputy Chief Minister amid ongoing discussions about NCP leadership and reunification.
Following public outrage over tobacco-related advertisements on State-run buses, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Friday directed all road transport corporations in the State to immediately stop carrying advertisements linked to tobacco products and remove those already displayed.
A.P. Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad demands an error-free Resurvey 2.0 to build trust among farmers.
Residents in Tirupattur protest against lorries' 24x7 operation to a stone quarry, demanding closure for safety and environmental concerns.
Farmers complain about brick kilns operating in violation of rules
The Barke police have arrested a 44-year-old Madikeri resident allegedly involved in 12 crimes, including seven theft cases of bags of passengers travelling in KSRTC buses
T.G. Sitharam emphasizes the need for increased gross enrolment in higher education to achieve India's vision of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.
Mangled cars to be displayed to remind drivers against over-speeding
Part of Aruppukottai West Bypass road opened for public use