The ruling BJP in Karnataka has won all the three seats in the bypolls held for the Legislative Council from local bodies constituencies.
This is seen as a crucial victory ahead of by-elections to eight assembly seats of State assembly.

BJP candidates-- former minister Sashikant Akkappa Naik won the Belgaum seat, while Shivraj Sajjanar was declared elected from Dharwad, and S G Medappa from Kodagu.

They all defeated their nearest congress rivals. Though the main opposition Congress got the support of JD (S) but it performed miserably in all the three seats.

JD(S) withdrew its nominees to support Congress candidates.

The bypolls were necessitated following Basavaraj Bommai (JD-U-Dharwad), Balachandra Jharakiholi (JDS-Belgaum) and Arun Machaiah (Ind-Kodagu) resigned their membership to join BJP.