J P Hegde of Congress Wins Udupi-Chikmagalur Bypoll
Hemanath Padubidri / Shubhalakshmi /Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Total counting rounds - 16
Total votes - 852,954
Udupi, Mar 21: Udupi-Chikmagalur bypoll winning candidate Jayaprakash Hegde of Congress was taken in a massive rally by Congress party workers and leaders, from Congress Bhavan to Brahmavar and Kundapur here on Wednesday March 21.
Addressing the media and the crowd, Hegde said that it was not his victory alone but the victory of party workers. "This win is a sign of victory in the Vidhana Sabha elections next year. Lots of MLAs and other people have worked hard to achieve this win," he added.
Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes said that everyone in the Congress had worked unitedly in ensuring party's win. "We have won the bypoll by a big margin. Now we must maintain this popularity and move ahead," he told his partymen.
Following the defeat of JD(S) in the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha bypoll, JD(S) district chief Deviprasad Shetty tendered his resignation here on Wednesday.
Earlier, Congress candidate Jayaprakash Hegde won the Udupi-Chikmagalur bypoll, defeating BJP candidate Sunil Kumar by about 45,000 votes. Celebrations and rallies by Congress workers have begun across the district.
Speaking to media, Jayaprakash Hegde said that he owes the victory to state Congress leaders and workers. The victory was expected by Congress Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes, he added.
Final results of three prime candidates of Congress, BJP and JD(S)
Congress workers took out bike rallies and processions in four wheelers around the Udupi town.
Congress Bhavan is wearing a festive look with leaders Pramod Madhwaraj, Diwakar Kundar and others celebrating with joy. Oscar Fernandes also arrived at the Congress office, along with party workers from various parts of the district. Party workers burst crackers and distributed sweets to the public.
Speaking on the occasion, Oscar thanked Congress national president Sonia Gandhi, all the Congress MPs, MLAs, the media and party workers for the victory.
Police vehicles are making rounds of the district to ensure law and order.
Moodubelle
Anil Alva
At Moodubelle, the celebration was led by Henry Alva, president of Belle-Kattingeri Congress Local Committee, secretary, Ganesh Nayak, Mrs. Ida Gibba D’Souza, member of Udupi Zilla Panchayat, Jacinta Aranha, president of Belle gram panchayat and members Shivram Salian, Vikash Shetty and Gilbert D’Souza.
Besides, Benedict Castelino, vice-president of Moodubelle Mahila Congres and treasurer, Benedicta Alva were also present along with many Congress workers.
Members of Moodubelle Rickshaw Drivers' and Owners' Association were also present.
Earlier Update
The counting for the Udupi - Chikmaglur bypoll that created enormous interest in the entire state, began at T A Pai English Medium School at 8 am on Wednesday, March 21.
Final Tally
Congress - 398,723
BJP - 352,999
JD(S) - 72,080
13th Round
Congress - 352,241
BJP - 307,017
JD(S) - 57,713
12th Round
Congress - 328,062
BJP - 286,335
JD(S) - 53,830
11th Round
Congress - 300,407
BJP - 261883
JD(S) - 50,091
Tenth Round
Congress : 271,162
BJP : 237,778
JD(S) : 46,873
Ninth Round
Congress : 243,655
BJP : 214,068
JD(S) : 43,662
Eighth Round
Congress : 217,786
BJP : 190,280
JD(S) : 38,594
10.05 am : Seventh Round
Congress - 189, 950
BJP - 167,397
JD(S) - 34, 509
9.55am : Sixth Round
Congress - 161, 156
BJP - 145,347
JD(S) - 30, 509
9.50am : Fifth Round
Congress - 134, 789
BJP - 122,543
JD(S) - 25,252
9.35am : Fourth Round
Congress - 106, 111
BJP - 98, 463
JD(S) - 19,252
9.25am : Third Round
Congress - 80, 345
BJP - 73, 678
JD(S) - 15,351
(BJP leads in Kundapura, Chikmaglur and Moodigere assembly constituencies, Congress leads in Udupi, Kundapur, Tarikere, Kaup)
9.10 am : Second Round
Congress - 53,213
BJP - 48,195
JD(S) - 9526
Update: 8.55 am : The reporters at the counting centre are miffed with DC Dr M T Reju for not providing the statistics and details of the first round of counting. They began to protest.
Round 1
Congress - 25, 561
BJP - 22,675
JD(S) - 4543
BJP candidate Sunil Kumar has taken the initial lead by 163 votes after the first round of counting.
Heavy security has been deplyed in the vicinity.
About 1100 officials have been appointed to oversee the counting process. Altogether, 108 tables and 54 counting agents have been arranged.
As many as 108 EVMs have been set for each round. There will be 16 rounds in all, according to election officer Dr M T Reju.