Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, May 16: Usually, a handful of independents and members of political parties used to get elected to the legislative assembly in every election. Their number used to hover around five to ten.

However, this number has dwindled sharply this time. Only two independent candidates have won this time. They are H Nagesh and Mahesh.

In Mulbagal constituency, Congress had fielded Kottanur Manjunath. However, during scrutiny, his nomination was rejected for furnishing defective caste certificate. As such, Congress had announced its support to H Nagesh, who had filed nomination as an independent there. Nagesh has won and naturally he would be supporting Congress party. Immediately after his victory, Shivakumar contacted Nagesh and convinced him to back Congress party.

R Shankar has won from Ranebennur constituency where he was pitted against speaker of the assembly, K B Koliwad of the Congress. He had fought on behalf of Karnataka Prajnavantha Janata Party. He is sure to support Congress - JD(S) coalition.

Mahesh, who fought from Kollegal constituency on behalf of BSP, an associate of JD(S), has also won.