Congress party's Sunil Bose wins in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar

Sunil Bose, son of state minister HC Mahadevappa and a close associate of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, secured a total of 7.5 lakh votes.

Sunil Bose of Congress party won the Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka by a margin of 1.8 lakh votes.

Bose, son of state minister HC Mahadevappa and a close associate of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, secured a total of 7.5 lakh votes.

BJP's S Balaraj, a close associate of Yediyurappa and former Kollegal MLA, received 5.6 lakh votes. BSP's M Krishnamurthy secured the third position with 15,903 votes. In the 2019 polls, the BSP had garnered more than 87,000 votes.

Chamarajanagar is a Scheduled Castes reserved constituency comprising eight assembly segments, including Varuna, represented by Siddaramaiah. Other segments in the Lok Sabha constituency are HD Kote (ST), Nanjangud (SC), T Narasipur (SC), Hanur, Kollegal (SC), Chamarajanagar, and Gundlupet. All except Hanur (JDS) are represented by Congress. Congress nominated Sunil Bose after Mahadevappa refused to contest the polls.

This victory comes as a relief for Siddaramaiah, as his assembly segment Varuna falls within the constituency, even though his party lost in neighbouring Mysuru Lok Sabha constituency (Mysuru is CM's home district). In Mysuru, BJP's Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar won against M Lakshman, a close aide to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah.

BJP had denied ticket to the sons-in-law of the sitting MP Srinivas Prasad, who were aspirants for the seat.

Also, read: Lok Sabha elections: Old Mysore Region is JDS’ battle for survival & an opportunity for Congress

Chamarajanagar is considered a Congress stronghold, with the party winning the seat 12 times since 1952. The Janata Dal won twice (1996 and 1998), the JDU won in 1999, and the JDS and BJP won once each, in 2004 and 2019, respectively.

In the 2019 polls, V Srinivas Prasad of the BJP won by just 1,817 votes, marking the first time the BJP won this seat. Prasad had represented the constituency in 1980, 1984, 1989, and 1991 as a Congress candidate and in 1999 as a JDU candidate. In April 2024, Prasad (76), who was elected to the Lok Sabha six times from Chamarajanagar constituency, passed away.

Chamarajanagar is considered one of the most backward districts of the state. Siddaramaiah has been campaigning in the constituency, highlighting Congress poll guarantees to attract women voters.

In Chamarajanagar, Dalits and Lingayats are present in sizable numbers. Former CM BS Yediyurappa and his son BJP president BY Vijayendra have been wooing Lingayat voters during this campaign. However, Congress was banking on Dalits and Kurubas. Siddaramaiah hails from the Kuruba community.

Also, read: Should I remain as CM or not? Siddaramaiah's emotional appeal to Varuna voters in Lok Sabha polls