Bangalore, March 21: Counting for the March 18 bypolls to Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha seat has begun on Tuesday morning.
With BJP government in Karnataka facing turmoil, there is intense anticipation and anxiety in ruling and Opposition Congress circles over the outcome of the bypolls.
Tight security arrangements have been made for the counting. About 66 per cent of 12.53 lakh electorate had cast their votes. The bypolls has become a prestigious battle for BJP, particularly Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, who had vacated the seat upon his elevation as chief minister.
Congress is trying to revive its electoral fortunes in the state. Former MLA, V Sunil Kumar of BJP has been locked in a fierce contest with Congress's K Jayaprakash Hegde. Bojegowda of JDS is also in the fray.
As many as eight halls of TA Pai English Medium School, are being be used for the purpose of counting.
Superintendent of Police Dr Boralingaiah M B said that around 200 civil police personnel including senior police officials have been deployed for the purpose.
As many as four platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and additional forces from District Armed Reserve (DAR) have also been stationed at the venue.
This is the second bypoll being held in the state after Gowda assumed office. BJP was mauled in the byelection to Bellary Rural Assembly seat last year, which was won by independent B Sreeramulu, who was not long ago a key leader of the ruling party before falling out with it.
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