BS Yeddyurappa return key to BJP’s success in Karnataka

BANGALORE: Just a year after losing power in Karnataka, the BJP swept the state, winning 17 out of the 28 seats. While it rode on the Narendra Modi wave, Congress was reduced to nine seats and JD(S) managed a mere two.

The results are a big blow to chief minister Siddaramaiah who was all prepared to celebrate completion of his one year in office on May 19 and KPCC president G Parameshwara . Both were confident of bagging 18-20 seats as mandated by the Congress high command.

The Congress also lost in Siddaramaiah’s home district Mysore and noises already being heard asking Siddaramaiah to emulate Assam CM Tarun Gogoi by resigning.

Unfazed by the results, Siddaramaiah said, “The results are not a reflection of my performance. My government has given good welfare programmes. There is no question of me resigning.”

The BJP rode the Modi wave but had got its house in order before the elections for a good performance. It boosted its position in north Karnataka by readmitting former CM BS Yeddyurappa. The split in the BJP had cost the party the assembly elections in 2013.

The BJP has also swept Bangalore city and regained ground in the coastal belt, a RSS hotbed, by winning the Dakshina Kannada, Udupi-Chikmagalur and Uttara Kannada seats.

Congress could retain only four of the seats from last time. It. The elections are also a set-back to Deve Gowda's family and party, JD(S). Contesting 26 seats it managed to win only two, Gowda from Hassan and CS Puttaraju from Mandya.