Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru (SP)

Mysuru, Jul 14: Narasimharaja constituency in the city, where bypoll was held recently, had become a question of prestige for the Congress. The city corporation constituency was vacated by the death of Congress corporator, R Ananthu.

Ananthu's wife, R Ashwini, had sought ticket for the constituency vacated by the death of her husband. However, the party preferred to allot ticket to Tanveer Sait's close confidante, Manjunath. In the bypoll held for this 58th constituency of the city corporation, K P Ashwini, who contested as an independent, won by getting 1,248 votes. G Manju of JDS stood second with 944 votes, while official Congress candidate, G N Manjunath, got 924 votes and therefore, was placed third behind JDS candidate.

Although Congress was leading in high profile publicity and road shows, people showed empathy towards Ananthu's widow. The popularity Ananthu earned during his tenure also worked to the benefit of his wife.

It is said that Siddaramaiah had orally promised ticket to Ashwini, but had later changed stand and given the discretion to Tanveer Sait. This bypolll therefore has also resulted in loss of face for the chief minister and district in-charge minister, Dr H C Mahadevappa, political analysts believe.