Karnataka election results 2023: Siddaramaiah wins Varuna by huge margin

Congress leader Siddaramaiah won the Varuna assembly seat by a huge margin. Siddaramaiah polled 119430
votes as compared to 73,424 by the BJP candidate, according to EC website. Counting of votes in Karnataka started today at 8 am. Congress stalwart and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was pitted against BJP's V Somanna. With 224 assembly seats up for grabs, the Congress has already crossed the majority mark.

Varuna is a traditional stronghold of the Congress party. Congress stalwart and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah went back to his old constituency, which he had 'sacrificed' for his son S Yathindra in 2018.


Siddaramaiah is also seen a top contender for the chief minister post, if Congress comes to power. Prior to the run up to the elections he had said that this would be his last election.

"After this, I am retiring from politics. It is my desire to represent my native constituency and place and retire. That is the reason I am contesting from Varuna constituency," Siddaramaiah had stated.

Varuna had seen 84.74 per cent of voting. Both Siddaramaiah and Somanna had claimed that they will win comfortably.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Wednesday expressed confidence of getting over 60 per cent votes in the Varuna constituency. "There is a tremendous response from the voters. I will get more than 60 per cent of the votes. Congress will form the government on its own. I am not going to retire but I will not contest elections. This is my last election," Siddaramaiah said after casting his vote.

Siddaramaiah also expressed gratitude to his party workers for working relentlessly during the election campaign and hoped that their struggle will "definitely bear fruit", as the exit polls gave an edge to the grand old party.

"I have a special appeal to our party workers: You have left home and family to work for the election. Now take some time off and spend time with your parents, wife and children. Our honest struggle will definitely bear fruit. Thanks again and best wishes to you all," Siddaramaiah tweeted.