From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 9: Unmindful of the prediction of C-Voter Exit Poll that gives the results in both assembly by-elections for the Rajarajeshwarinagar in Bengaluru and Sira in Tumakuru in Karnataka held on November 3 in favour of the ruling BJP in the state, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief D K Shivakumar is brimming with confidence on bagging both the seats.

While the by-election for the Rajarajeshwarinagar constituency was necessitated with the then Congress MLA Munirathna resigning his seat to along with 17 other MLAs from Congress and JD(S) to facilitate BJP to come to power with BS Yediyurappa as the chief minister, the Sira constituency fell vacant as the then JD(S) MLA Satyanarayana passed away.

The counting for both the seats is being held on Tuesday when the attention of the voters will be riveted on the outcome of the Bihar assembly polls.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the counting, Shivakumar said all Congress leaders had worked in the field during the campaign. Many legislators and leaders worked beyond his expectations at the booth level, he said.

He made it clear that he would not trust exit polls results and asserted that voters in Sira and RR Nagar trusted the Congress.

It is argued in Congress circles that the by-poll result would test the popularity of KPCC president DK Shivakumar., who led the party campaign for the first time after becoming the president about five months ago.

Counting of votes of biennial elections held for two graduate constituencies - South East and Karnataka West, and two teachers’ constituencies - North East and Bengaluru – would also be taken up on Tuesday.

Polling for the four council seats was held on October 28.

Results of two by-polls are of vital importance to the ruling BJP, though it has a comfortable position in the Assembly.

Victory in both constituencies would strengthen the hands of the chief minister Yediyurappa, who is seeking the high command’s approval for expanding the Cabinet.

Four candidates of three major parties entered the electoral battle for the first time in these polls.

In Sira, Congress candidate and veteran leader T B Jayachandra fighting the electoral battle against Ammajamma, wife of late JD(S) MLA B Satyanarayana and political novice Rajesh Gowda of the BJP.

In the RR Nagar constituency, Shivakumar led the campaign by fielding debutant Kusuma H, wife of the Late IAS officer D K Ravi, who had committed suicide. Meanwhile, BJP has fielded Munirathna while V Krishnamurthy is contesting on behalf of JD(S).

Results of four legislative council seats would be declared on Tuesday. The election result is significant for the ruling BJP as it lacks a majority in the Upper House to pass crucial bills.

In the 75-member council, the BJP has 27 members at present.

The KPCC chief flayed the Yediyurappa government for increasing the power tariff and demanded its rollback. He warned that protests would be launched if the decision was not withdrawn in the next week.