Bengaluru:  In the early rounds of counting, BJP candidate in Sindgi constituency, Bhusanur Ramesh Balappa and Congress candidate Srinivas Mane in Hangal constituency leading from their nearest rivals.

BJP candidate, Bhusanur Ramesh is leading by over 11,000 votes from Congress candidate Ashok Managuli in Sindgi and Congress Srinivas Mane is leading by a thin margin of 300 votes from BJP candidate Shivarj Sajjanar in Hangal constituency. Bye elections were held on October 30.

Six rounds of counting have been completed, there is a stiff fight between Congress and BJP candidates in Hangal seat. Winning of bye-elections is prestigious to the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to prove his leadership. Since he is representing the Haveri district, winning of Hangal seat is very much important for him, but where BJP is trailing.

However, BJP  win is almost certain in Sindgi which was represented by JD(S) in the 2018 Assembly elections.

Interestingly, JD(S) candidates showed poor performance in both constituencies. Though the party fielded Muslim candidates in both the constituencies, it has failed to impress Muslim voters. The early trend indicates that the Muslim community voted completely consolidated to Congress. To gain support from Muslim community votes, Mr. Kumaraswamy was more critical against RSS, BJP’s ideological mentor. It may not be surprising if JD(S) candidates in both the constituencies lost deposits.