Udupi: Whereas in 2009, D.V. Sadananda Gowda of BJP had defeated the Congress rival K. Jayaprakash Hegde by a margin of only 27,000 votes, in 2012 K.J. Hegde taking lead in all 8 areas of Udupi-Chikamagalur district from the beginning (upto 17 rounds) defeated V. Sunil Kumar, a former Karkala MLA in the final 17th round, by a clear and better margin of 45, 724 votes, at 11-40AM.

Congress-K. J. Hegde(17th round)- 3,98,723 votes

BJP –V. Sunil Kumar )- 3,52,999 votes

JD-S- S.L. Bhoje Gowda- 72,080 votes

All other 11 candidates lost their deposits.

Congress Leader of Opposition, S. Siddaramaiah Commented on his party’s expected success, to say that BJP used to win with money/caste power , but Jayaprakash Hegde’s clean image was one of the main reasons for the (ultimate) victory this time.

The by-poll has undermined BJP in Udupi, where Dr. V.S. Acharya was a force to reckon with, but he passed away recently, and was only remembered on Tuesday, during the start of budget session in Bangalore.

The vote-counting on EVMs, started at 8AM and by noon it was over, in 17 rounds, during which Hegde led the others al through.

But the defeat of BJP will not force CM DVS Gowda to resign, despite the fight being keen and motivating, with about 68% voting on an overage. BJP has lost elections in 4 places in 2012, in Bellary rural , BBMP, MCC Mayor’s and now Udupi-Chikamagalur MP Bypoll.