Mysuru: In Chief Minister’s Siddaramaiah home town, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has cracked the fort of the Congress, as Seema Prasad of BJP won the by polls of ward 15 by a huge margin of 788 votes considering that only 4900 votes were cast. She won against Komala  Ramesh of Congress who managed to get 1507 votes.

On Monday morning December 8, the counting started at 8am in MCC zone 2 office, but the suspense remained  till the end of fourth round. In the six rounds of counting, after gaining the initial lead, Komala Ramesh was pushed back from the third round by Seema Prasad.

Komala Ramesh  was ahead of Seema Prasad by three votes in the first round. In the second round, she secured 445 votes and Seema managed to get 379 votes. There was a sudden shocker as Seema Prasad took 582 votes in the third round pushing back Komala Ramesh who gained only 172 votes. Seema Prasad from there onwards, dominated every round and eventually ended victorious.

The counting process finished by 8.45 am and the winner was declared. Before the arrival of her supporters, the results were announced.The supporters of Seema Prasad who were at the venue celebrated by bursting crackers.

Speaking to media persons, Seema Prasad said, “Former minister SA Ramdas and many other BJP leaders supported me during the election campaign. As assured during the campaign my first preference will be given to roads and street lights. I was confident about my win in the elections.”

Though the win will not change much in the administration of the MCC, the BJP party had taken it as a matter of prestige to defeat Congress in CM’s home town. Independent contestant K Kempamma managed to get only 38 votes.

Lakshmi R Ganesh,  Janata Dal (secular) too, was no way in the battle as she managed only to secure 1060 votes.

The by polls were held due to the resignation of Congress Corporator Manjula Manasa after she was nominated to the Karnataka State Women’s Commission as chairperson in June. The ward is reserved for general category (woman).