Assembly bypoll, panchayat elections held in Karna

Bye-elections to three Assembly constituencies and first phase of Zilla and Taluk Panchayats polls in 15 districts of Karnataka were held today, in what could prove to be a crucial test for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
By-elections were held for Hebbal, Bidar and Devadurga seats as had fallen vacant due to death of sitting members.
According to the office of Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, an estimated 66 per cent polling was reported in Devadurga, 61 per cent in Bidar and 48 per cent in Hebbal constituency.
In all the three constituencies, there is a direct fight between ruling Congress and opposition BJP.

Till recently, Hebbal and Bidar constituencies were represented by BJP members, and Devadurga by Congress member.
Political infighting in former Prime Minister H DDeve Gowda lead JD(S) has reduced the party's significance inthis by-poll.

Hebbal constituency in Bengaluru is crucial for Congress as stakes are high for the party which has fielded C K Abdul Rahman Sharief, grandson of senior party leader C K Jaffer Sharief, against the wishes of Siddaramaiah who had opted for MLC Byrathi Suresh as the candidate.
Ten candidates are in the fray for Bidar, three in Devadurga and 20 in Hebbal constituency.
The fifteen districts went to polls for ZPs and TPs include: Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagaram, Chitradurga, Davangere, Kolar, Chickballapur, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Belagavi, Haveri, Bagalkot, Uttara Kannada, Dharwad and Gadag.

A total of 2,087 candidates are in the fray for 550 Zilla Panchayat seats and 6,288 candidates for 1,934 Taluk Panchayat seats.