Of all the bypoll results in Karnataka, the Hoskote result stands out. This is the only constituency out of the 15 seats, where an independent has won defeating both the BJP and the Congress. Interestingly, the independent is a BJP rebel. The party gave ticket to MBT Nagaraju, who had been disqualified by the court for not attending the vote of confidence of Kumaraswamy government. This has led to the fall of the JDU-Congress government. He had resigned in favour of the BJP. So, the BJP gave ticket to him.
Nagaraju is one of the richest politicians in Karnataka and everyone thought he would have a walkover because of his money power and the BJP support. However, the local BJP cadre did not like him. They felt a defector should not be given the ticket. Chikkaballapur MP Bachegowda's son Sharat Gowda rebelled and filed nomination as an independent. The BJP cadre too has largely worked for him. Though as a party MP, Bache Gowda stayed away from the campaign, his supporters plunged headlong and worked for Sharat.
When the votes were counted, Sharat Gowda defeated Nagaraju and romped home quite comfortably. So, it's a defeat for the BJP, but not for the BJP cadre is Hoskote. Needless to say, Sharat Gowda said that he would extend support to the BJP.
Nagaraju is one of the richest politicians in Karnataka and everyone thought he would have a walkover because of his money power and the BJP support. However, the local BJP cadre did not like him. They felt a defector should not be given the ticket. Chikkaballapur MP Bachegowda's son Sharat Gowda rebelled and filed nomination as an independent. The BJP cadre too has largely worked for him. Though as a party MP, Bache Gowda stayed away from the campaign, his supporters plunged headlong and worked for Sharat.
When the votes were counted, Sharat Gowda defeated Nagaraju and romped home quite comfortably. So, it's a defeat for the BJP, but not for the BJP cadre is Hoskote. Needless to say, Sharat Gowda said that he would extend support to the BJP.