Bangalore: United BJP helps DVS win bypoll

DHNS

Bangalore, 23 December 2011: By-election to the Legislative Council held here on Thursday did not throw up any surprise, as BJP MLAs stood solidly behind Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda and helped him defeat Congress candidate Anand Gaddedevaramath by 54 votes.

 

JD(S) members abstained from voting. Gowda, who became the first chief minister of the state to be elected from the Upper House of the legislature, secured 123 votes against the 69 secured by Gaddedevaramath. Seven votes were declared invalid. In all, 199 MLAs of the 225 members of the Assembly, which forms the electoral college for the Council poll, exercised their franchise. All the BJP members (121, including Speaker and a nominated member) and Congress MLAs (71) cast the vote.

 

There was much jubilation soon after the result was announced at Vidhana Soudha, with legislators and party workers congratulating and garlanding Gowda. Former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa was amongst the party members to present a bouquet to Gowda.

 

However, while the smiling Gowda was flashing the victory sign all around to partymen and the media, Yeddyurappa left the venue quietly.  Gowda told reporters that he would resign from his MP seat (Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency) in a week and also meet senior leaders of the party during his visit to New Delhi. His resignation is certain to bring about a bypoll to the LS constituency.

 

Gowda has been the chief minister since August 4, without being the member of either of the Houses. The MLC position allows him to fulfil the Constitutional requirement of securing membership of the State legislature within six months of assuming office.