Udupi : District In-charge Minister Pramod Madhwaraj said the victory of Congress in Nanjanagudu and Gundlupete bypolls clearly shows the public’s support for pro-poor and people-friendly governance of Siddaramaiah-led government in the state.

Speaking to reporters during the victory celebrations, the minister said the victory of Geetha Mahadeva Prasad and Kalale Keshavmurthy with a huge margin is the victory of Congress. It shows that people have supported the corruption-free Congress government. He said the BJP’s failure is the result of fake and unbelievable pledges assured to the people.

The BJP might now hold Congress responsible for its defeat, he ridiculed. He said that according to BJP leaders, the loss might be due to BJP campaign without the presence of Modi.

While declining to comment on Srinivas Prasad’s failure, he added that he is hurt by the allegations made by the veteran politician against him as bribing to get the minister’s post.

Meanwhile, former chief minister Jagadish Shettar who visited Sri Krishna temple said that Congress victory is through unethical means. He told reporters that money power was instrumental in the victory of Congress. This result will not be a decisive factor for the forthcoming 2018 Assembly elections. He said the party will face the elections under the able leadership of Yeddyurappa. Srinivas Prasad would be offered a respectable position in the party irrespective of his defeat, he said.