Congress, AIPJD win Karnataka bypolls

The ruling Congress and the All-India Progressive Janata Dal on Monday retained the Hungund and Vemagal seats, respectively, in the bypolls held last week.

In Hungund, Congress candidate Gouramma, wife of former minister S R Kashappanavar, defeated her Bharatiya Janata Party rival M S Patil by 10,299 votes. The election was necessitated by Kashappanavar's death.

In Vemagal, AIPJD candidate Krishna Byregowda, son of C Byregowda, whose death brought about the poll, triumphed over Congress's Venkatamuniyappa by a margin of 11,283 votes.

Byregowda senior, who was the AIPJD state president, had represented Vemagal for six successive terms.

The bypolls were held on September 26.