Jayanagar byelection results live updates: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vs Congress-Janata Dal Secular (JDS) in Karnataka

Celebrations have begun in the Congress camp as party candidate Sowmya Reddy defeated BJP's BN Prahlad by nearly 3,775 votes after several rounds of counting in Jayanagar assembly constituency.

Pic Courtesy: Twitter

BANGALORE: Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy on Wednesday defeated her nearest BJP rival BN Prahlad by over 2,000 votes after several rounds of counting in Jayanagar assembly constituency in Karnataka. The Congress party now has 80 seats in the 225-member Karnataka Assembly. In view of Sowmya Reddy's victory, widespread celebrations have also begun in the Congress camp. The counting of votes for the by-election held in Jayanagar assembly constituency in South Bangalore began around 8 am under the watchful eyes of the Election Commission. The by-election in Jayanagar assembly constituency was held on Monday and 55% voter turnout was registered. Voting was by and large peaceful, according to the election commission officials.

Polling in Jayanagar was countermanded following the death of BJP candidate BN Vijayakumar. The BJP had fielded the deceased MLA’s brother BN Prahlad. The Congress retained its original choice, former minister Ramalinga Reddy’s daughter R Sowmya Reddy for the seat. Both are political novices. The Janata Dal (Secular) withdrew its candidate in support of the Congress. 

Here are the live updates:-

13 June 2018

12:44 IST

With Sowmya Reddy winning the Jayanagar assembly seat, the Congress party's total tally in 225-member Karnataka Legislative Assembly has gone up to 80.

#Bengaluru: Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy wins Jayanagar assembly constituency, defeating BJP's BN Prahlad. Congress now has 80 seats in the assembly. pic.twitter.com/FsSDM2GWxU

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2018

12:31 IST

Congress wins Bengaluru's Jayanagar assembly seat as Sowmya Reddy defeats BJP's BN Prahlad by nearly 3,775 votes, say reports.  

11:56 IST

Congress workers celebrate outside counting centre in Bengaluru as party candidate Sowmya Reddy takes a massive lead over BJP's BN Prahlad in Jayanagar assembly constituency.

Congress workers celebrate outside counting centre in Bengaluru after party candidate Sowmya Reddy leads over BJP's BN Prahlad in Jayanagar assembly constituency. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/OZWSTn1rUN

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2018

10:46 IST

Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy leads over BJP's BN Prahlad by 10205 votes in Jayanagar assembly constituency after round 8 of counting.

09:37 IST

Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy leads over BJP's BN Prahlad by 5348 votes in Jayanagar assembly constituency after round 4 of counting, reports ANI.

09:36 IST

Soumya Reddy of Congress leads against BJP's Prahlad Babu. Soumya Reddy gets 3,749 votes, Prahlad Babu secures 3,322 votes in first round of counting.

09:35 IST

Independent candidate Ravikrishna Reddy gets 151 votes in the first round, according to reports.

09:25 IST

Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy is leading over BJP's BN Prahlad by 427 votes after round 1 of counting, claims ANI.

09:03 IST

BN Prahlad gets 3 postal ballots, Sowmya Reddy of Congress gets 1 postal ballot, say reports.

09:02 IST

BJP candidate BN Prahlad Babu leading in postal ballots, according to reports.

08:40 IST

A total of 19 candidates were in the fray in the constituency which has a total electorate of 2,03,184.

08:40 IST

The Janata Dal (Secular) withdrew its candidate in support of the Congress. 

08:40 IST

The Congress retained its original choice, former minister Ramalinga Reddy’s daughter R Sowmya Reddy for the seat.

08:39 IST

The BJP has fielded the deceased MLA’s brother BN Prahlad from the Jayanagar seat.

08:38 IST

Polling in Jayanagar was countermanded following the death of BJP candidate BN Vijayakumar. 

08:37 IST

The by-elections in Jayanagar assembly constituency were held on Monday and 55% voter turnout was registered.

08:35 IST

The voting began at 8 am at SSMRV College.

08:34 IST

The counting of votes for Jayanagar assembly constituency in South Bangalore in Karnataka is currently underway.