By-polls 2017 : Congress set to win, 'We Bow our Heads,' Says B S Yeddyurappa

By-polls 2017 : Congress set to win, 'We Bow our Heads,' Says B S Yeddyurappa

The ruling Congress in Karnataka is set to retain both the assembly seats where by-polls were held on Sunday. The elections in Nanjangud and Gundulpet became a prestige battle for the Congress and the opposition BJP ahead of assembly polls next year.

"We bow our heads and accept the decision of the people," said the BJP's BS Yeddyurappa, conceding defeat as votes were counted on Thursday.  The former Chief Minister was hoping to wrest the seats from the Congress to strengthen his position before next year's election.

Nanjangud is in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's home district of Mysuru and it was important for him to retain the seat, which was left vacant after his close aide V Srinivas Prasad quit the party after being dropped as a minister. Mr Srinivas Prasad contested in the seat as a BJP candidate.