Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma
The BJP has won 12 out of 15 seats in Karnataka by-elections, held on 5 December. The Congress, meanwhile, has won two seats, and the JD(S) drew a blank in the polls.
Dinesh Gundu Rao has resigned as Karnataka Congress president, while former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has resigned as the leader of Opposition, on Monday, 9 December after a dismal performance from the Opposition.
Speaking on the bypolls, PM Modi slammed the Congress saying, “The mandate in Karnataka was stolen through the backdoor by Congress. People have now taught the party a lesson.” Meanwhile, state CM BS Yediyurappa expressed confidence that his government would continue for the next three-and-a-half years. “These MLAs will get good posts as ministers and will be given a chance to help the party grow,” Yediyurappa said.
Siddaramaiah Resigns as Legislative Party Leader
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah resigned as the leader of Opposition, with the BJP set to secure a comfortable majority in the Karnataka bypolls.
“As a leader of a legislative party, I need to respect democracy. I have resigned as Congress Legislative Party leader. I have submitted my resignation to Sonia Gandhi,” said Siddaramaiah.
'We Have Accepted Defeat': Congress Leader DK Shivakumar
With the Congress leading in just two seats out of 15 and the JD(S) in none, Karnataka Congress leader DK Shivakumar accepted his party’s defeat in the bypolls.
“We have to agree with the mandate of the voters of these 15 constituencies. People have accepted the defectors. We have accepted defeat. I don't think we have to be disheartened,” he was quoted as saying.
'People Have Taught Congress a Lesson': PM Modi on Karnataka Bypoll Results
With BJP leading in 12 seats out of 15 in Karnataka, PM Modi slammed the Congress at a rally in Jharkhand, saying “Congress and its allies (had) subverted the mandate” in the state and “stabbed it in the back”.
“The mandate in Karnataka was stolen through the backdoor by Congress. People have now taught the party a lesson… Some people said the BJP has limited influence in the South. The people of Karnataka defeated and punished them in a dramatic way during bypolls,” Modi was quoted as saying.
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