Udupi: Continuing his attack on the Congress party, former minister Jaya Prakash Hegde, who contested the MLC polls as an independent candidate after fallout from Congress and lost the polls, said that he was hurt by the poll results.

Addressing a news conference on Thursday, Hegde alleged the Congress of buying votes.

“I had managed to bag minimum votes, which still points at the fact that I had voters’ support. But, the disheartening fact is that votes were cast in favour of the Congress in lieu of money,” he said adding that if it were party workers and the general public who were to vote, then he would have won the elections hands down.

“I believe that the Congress not only purchased votes but also pressurised and threatened the voters and also exploited their religious sentiments,” he said analyzing the reason for his defeat.

Attributing the Congress’ defeat in Chikkamagaluru to himself, Hegde said that his supporters in Chikkamagaluru have given a befitting answer to the Congress.

Hegde declared that he would continued to work for the cause of people along with his supporters.

However, on a query about him joining another party, specifically the JD(S), Hegde said he would surely contemplate on the same after having a discussion with his supporters.

“As of now, I remain an independent,” he said.