2008 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election
The 2008 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election was held over three phases on 10 May, 16 May, and 22 May 2008 to elect members for all 224 constituencies in the unicameral Karnataka Legislative Assembly.[1] The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a plurality by winning 110 seats with a 33.86% vote share, ahead of the Indian National Congress (INC) with 80 seats and a 34.76% vote share and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) with 28 seats, resulting in a hung assembly as no party reached the majority mark of 113.[2] With external support from independent legislators, the BJP formed a minority government on 30 May 2008, installing B.S. Yediyurappa as Chief Minister—the first BJP-led administration in any southern Indian state.[3] Voter turnout across the state stood at 65.1 percent, with over 26 million votes polled out of approximately 40 million electors.[4] The election followed the collapse of the previous JD(S)-BJP coalition government, which had ended amid mutual accusations of betrayal after a 20-month power-sharing deal that saw H.D. Kumaraswamy serve as Chief Minister.[5] The BJP campaigned aggressively on themes of development and anti-corruption, capitalizing on dissatisfaction with the incumbent coalition's instability, while the INC and JD(S) struggled with internal divisions and a fragmented opposition vote.[6] This outcome represented a significant breakthrough for the BJP in Karnataka, a state historically dominated by INC and regional parties, though the government's tenure was later marred by political defections and allegations of illegal mining that prompted its resignation in October 2009.[7]Background
Pre-Election Political Instability
The 2004 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election resulted in a hung assembly, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing 79 seats, the Indian National Congress (INC) 65 seats, and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) 58 seats out of 224. In the absence of a clear majority, the INC formed a coalition government with external support from the JD(S), installing Dharam Singh of the INC as Chief Minister on May 28, 2004.[8] This arrangement proved unstable, as internal JD(S) factions grew dissatisfied with the power-sharing dynamics, leading to escalating tensions by late 2005.[9] On January 18, 2006, the coalition plunged into crisis when JD(S) leaders, including H.D. Kumaraswamy, signaled withdrawal of support from the Dharam Singh government amid allegations of corruption and administrative failures.[10] Governor T.N. Chaturvedi directed Dharam Singh to prove his majority on January 27, 2006, but the INC-JD(S) alliance collapsed when 46 JD(S) MLAs defected, enabling Kumaraswamy to form a new coalition with the BJP on February 3, 2006, with Kumaraswamy sworn in as Chief Minister and B.S. Yediyurappa of the BJP as Deputy Chief Minister.[8][11] The agreement stipulated a 20-month tenure for the JD(S)-led government, followed by a handover to the BJP, reflecting the opportunistic realignments driven by caste and regional calculations rather than ideological consistency.[12] By September 2007, as the power-transfer deadline approached, JD(S) leaders reneged on the pact, citing internal party resistance and refusing to cede the Chief Ministership to Yediyurappa on October 3, 2007, which precipitated the coalition's breakdown.[13] The BJP withdrew support, leading Governor Rameshwar Thakur to recommend dissolution of the assembly on October 9, 2007, and impose President's rule for the first time.[14] This was briefly revoked on November 8, 2007, to attempt revival of the JD(S)-BJP alliance, but the government failed to demonstrate stability, resulting in its collapse and a second imposition of President's rule on November 20, 2007.[15][16] The repeated failures of coalitions, marked by defections and unfulfilled agreements, underscored the fragility of Karnataka's fragmented politics, culminating in the assembly's dissolution and fresh elections scheduled for May 2008 under central administration.[17]Regional and Caste Dynamics
Caste dynamics profoundly influenced the 2008 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election, with the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities exerting decisive sway given their substantial demographic presence and entrenched political clout. Lingayats, forming about 17% of the population and predominant in central and northern Karnataka, rallied en masse to the BJP under B.S. Yediyurappa, a community leader, fueled by outrage over the JD(S)'s abrupt termination of the BJP-JD(S) coalition in October 2007, perceived as a profound betrayal.[18] This consolidation propelled the BJP to victory among Lingayat candidates, with 38 of its 71 nominees securing seats, compared to 19 for Congress and just 4 for JD(S).[19] Vokkaligas, comprising roughly 15% of the electorate and anchored in the southern Old Mysore belt, anchored the JD(S)'s support base under H.D. Deve Gowda, yet fragmentation occurred as Congress captured 19 of 37 Vokkaliga candidates elected, while JD(S) managed 15 from 57.[19] Collectively, Lingayats and Vokkaligas furnished 59 and 51 MLAs respectively, dominating 110 of the 224 assembly seats and reinforcing their outsized role in state politics.[19] Regionally, the BJP leveraged Lingayat strongholds in northern and central Karnataka—encompassing Hyderabad-Karnataka and Mumbai-Karnataka divisions—to amass a disproportionate share of its 110 seats, augmented by urban gains in Bangalore's 28 constituencies amid dissatisfaction with governance lapses.[18] Southern districts, steeped in Vokkaliga influence, proved resistant, favoring JD(S) and Congress continuity and exposing persistent north-south cleavages rooted in socioeconomic disparities and cultural variances.[18] This bifurcation underscored how regional identities intertwined with caste loyalties to propel the BJP's breakthrough, marking its inaugural southern state government formation.[20]Electoral Process
Schedule and Phases
The Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the 2008 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election on 2 April 2008, stipulating polling in three phases on 10 May, 16 May, and 22 May 2008 across the state's 224 constituencies, with vote counting for all phases set for 25 May 2008.[21] This phased approach facilitated logistical coordination, including the deployment of central security forces and electronic voting machines, amid the state's expansive terrain and varying security needs.[21] The first phase, on 10 May, covered 89 constituencies, encompassing districts such as Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Tumkur, Mysore, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, Mandya, and Hassan.[22] [23] Notifications for this phase were issued on 16 April 2008, with nominations accepted until 23 April, scrutiny on 24 April, and withdrawals permitted until 26 April.[22] The second phase, held on 16 May, involved 66 constituencies.[24] Notifications for this phase followed a similar timeline, adjusted to the polling date, ensuring compliance with the Representation of the People Act, 1951.[25] The third and final phase on 22 May polled the remaining 69 constituencies, completing the electoral process before the constitutional deadline of 28 May 2008 for constituting the new assembly.[26] [27] Counting commenced at 8:00 AM on 25 May across designated centers, yielding results that day.[21]Constituencies, Voter Demographics, and Turnout
The election covered all 224 constituencies of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, each returning a single member via first-past-the-post system. Of these, 158 were unreserved (general category), 51 reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs), and 15 for Scheduled Tribes (STs), in accordance with the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008, which adjusted boundaries based on the 2001 Census to reflect population changes while maintaining reservations proportional to SC and ST shares in the state's population.[28][29] The total electorate stood at 40,171,345 registered voters, comprising a diverse demographic mirroring Karnataka's social structure: dominant landowning castes such as Lingayats (roughly 17% of the population, concentrated in northern and central districts) and Vokkaligas (about 14%, prevalent in southern old-Mysore region), alongside Other Backward Classes (OBCs, over 40% combined), SCs (17-19%), STs (6-7%), and Muslims (12-13%). Rural voters formed the bulk, exceeding 60% of the electorate, with urban concentrations limited to Bengaluru Urban district (around 20 constituencies) and industrial hubs like Belagavi and Hubballi-Dharwad; gender breakdown approximated national patterns with slight male majority among voters, though specific age data indicated a median voter age in the 30-50 range, driven by the state's youthful population post-2001 Census.[4][30][31] Voter turnout reached 65.1% statewide, with 26,156,630 valid votes polled across the three-phase schedule. Participation was higher in rural and reserved constituencies (often exceeding 70%), reflecting stronger mobilization among caste-based networks, while urban areas like Bengaluru lagged below 60% in initial phases due to logistical factors and voter apathy.[4][32][33]Parties, Alliances, and Candidates
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and NDA
 The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition party and the state-level representative of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), contested the 2008 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election without formal pre-poll alliances with other NDA partners. The NDA, led nationally by the BJP, did not field joint candidates or seat-sharing arrangements in Karnataka, allowing the BJP to compete independently across all 224 constituencies.[34] This solo strategy aimed to consolidate the BJP's base amid the perceived instability of the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition. Under the leadership of B.S. Yediyurappa, the BJP's state president and a key Lingayat community figure, the party projected him as its chief ministerial candidate. Yediyurappa, who had previously served as Leader of the Opposition, emphasized stable governance to counter the frequent collapses of previous coalitions.[3] The BJP fielded candidates in every seat, focusing on winnable constituencies in coastal and central regions where it had built support through prior municipal successes and targeted outreach to upper castes, urban voters, and disaffected farmers.[35] The party's campaign highlighted development promises, including enhanced irrigation, infrastructure, and job creation, as outlined in its manifesto "Resolve for a Prosperous Karnataka."[36] It capitalized on anti-incumbency against the incumbent government's corruption allegations and policy failures, positioning itself as an alternative focused on economic progress rather than caste-based fragmentation. Senior national leaders like L.K. Advani and Arun Jaitley provided campaign support, reinforcing the BJP's organizational efforts in urban centers like Bengaluru.[37] [38]Indian National Congress (INC) and UPA
The Indian National Congress (INC), heading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the national level, positioned itself as the primary alternative to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the fragmented Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) in the 2008 Karnataka election, following the collapse of its short-lived coalition government with the JD(S) in 2006. The party, which had governed Karnataka from 2004 to 2006 under Chief Minister Dharam Singh, emphasized restoring stable administration amid perceptions of political instability from successive coalition breakdowns. Key leaders included Mallikarjun Kharge, who served as the Leader of the Opposition and contested from the Jewargi constituency, alongside figures like R.V. Deshpande and Oscar Fernandes, who coordinated state-level strategy from the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). The INC fielded candidates across 221 of the 224 constituencies, focusing on consolidating support among backward classes, minorities, and urban voters in regions like Old Mysore and coastal Karnataka.[39] INC's campaign strategy highlighted anti-incumbency against the JD(S)-BJP experiments and critiqued the BJP's perceived communal appeals, while promising enhanced implementation of central UPA schemes such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and agricultural loan waivers to address farmer distress, a pressing issue after erratic monsoons and rising input costs in 2007-08. Nationally, the UPA government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh touted 8-9% GDP growth and poverty alleviation programs, but state leaders downplayed direct linkage, attributing potential setbacks to local factors like coalition fatigue rather than federal performance; Congress spokespersons later stated the verdict was "not a reflection of UPA govt performance." The party avoided formal state-level alliances with UPA partners like the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), contesting independently to maximize its base, though it indirectly benefited from national funding and visibility. Campaign mobilization involved rallies led by Sonia Gandhi and high-profile interventions, targeting Vokkaliga and Lingayat sub-groups wary of JD(S) dominance. Electorally, the INC secured 80 seats with a 34.8% vote share, up slightly from 30.5% in 2004 but insufficient against the BJP's surge to 110 seats, reflecting gains in Hyderabad-Karnataka but losses in BJP strongholds like southern interior districts. Among elected INC MLAs, eight had declared criminal cases, per candidate affidavits analyzed by the Association for Democratic Reforms. The UPA's national stability contrasted with Karnataka's outcome, where INC's failure to cross the majority mark (113 seats needed) underscored challenges in translating federal achievements into state wins amid caste arithmetic favoring the BJP's outreach to Lingayats. Post-poll, the party opted against overtures for a post-election alliance with JD(S), prioritizing opposition role scrutiny of the BJP government.[39][40]Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) and Regional Alliances
The Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)), a regional party primarily drawing support from the Vokkaliga community and rural voters in southern and central Karnataka, contested the 2008 election without a formal pre-poll alliance with major national parties, following the breakdown of its prior coalitions with the Indian National Congress in 2004 and the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2006-2007.[41] Led by former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda and his son H. D. Kumaraswamy, who served as Chief Minister during the short-lived BJP-JD(S) coalition, the party positioned itself as a defender of regional interests against the perceived dominance of national parties.[42] Its campaign emphasized agricultural issues, farmer welfare, and criticism of urban-centric policies, aiming to retain strongholds in districts like Mandya, Hassan, and Tumkur where Vokkaliga influence is pronounced. JD(S) fielded candidates across 218 constituencies, securing 28 seats with a vote share of approximately 8.4 percent, a significant decline from its 60 seats in 2004 amid voter disillusionment over unstable governments and internal family dynamics within the Deve Gowda-led faction.[2] The party's performance was concentrated in the Old Mysore region, where it won 18 of its seats, leveraging caste arithmetic and minority support, particularly from Muslims alienated by BJP's Hindutva mobilization. However, it struggled in northern Karnataka and urban areas, losing ground to BJP's organizational expansion and Congress's revival. No substantial regional alliances materialized; minor seat adjustments with smaller outfits like the Samajwadi Party were ruled out, underscoring JD(S)'s isolation as a standalone regional force.[41] Post-election, JD(S) explored post-poll support options but remained in opposition as the BJP formed a majority government with 110 seats, highlighting the party's diminished kingmaker role compared to previous hung assemblies.[2] This outcome reflected causal factors such as anti-incumbency from coalition failures and failure to broaden appeal beyond core demographics, with empirical data showing JD(S) candidates often splitting anti-BJP votes in Vokkaliga belts.[43]Other Parties and Independents
Several smaller parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Communist Party of India (CPI), and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), fielded candidates across various constituencies but secured no seats in the 224-member assembly.[44] These parties collectively garnered limited vote shares, reflecting their marginal influence amid the dominance of the BJP, INC, and JD(S).[45] Independents, often backed by local influences or disaffected voters, emerged as the only non-major-party winners, capturing 6 seats.[46] [2] In the context of the hung assembly, where the BJP fell short of the 113-seat majority with 110, three independents extended support to the BJP, enabling B.S. Yediyurappa to form the government on May 28, 2008.[47] This support was pivotal, as initial post-poll alliances faltered, underscoring the strategic leverage of independents in fragmented outcomes. The remaining independents did not align decisively with any major bloc, contributing to post-election negotiations.[45] Overall, the performance of other parties and independents highlighted the election's bipolar contestation, with minor players unable to disrupt the established regional dynamics.Campaign and Key Issues
Major Campaign Themes and Promises
The 2008 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election campaign featured competitive populism among major parties, with promises centered on farmer welfare, infrastructure development, and urban revitalization amid anti-incumbency against prior unstable coalitions. All principal contenders—Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S))—emphasized agricultural relief measures, including free electricity for irrigation pumpsets and loan concessions, reflecting the state's agrarian economy and ongoing power shortages. These pledges echoed national trends but were tailored to local grievances like irregular power supply and farmer distress, though critics noted their fiscal strain potential without detailing funding mechanisms.[48][49] The BJP, positioning itself as an alternative to coalition instability, released its manifesto on April 24, 2008, titled "Resolve for a Prosperous Karnataka," promising free power to approximately 16 lakh farmers with pumpsets up to 10 horsepower, 3% interest on crop loans via a Rs. 500 crore revolving fund, and minimum support prices for milk (Rs. 2 per liter) and sericulture. It also committed to doubling power generation to 10,000 MW within five years through private investment, investing Rs. 25,000 crore in rural roads, and developing Bangalore into a world-class city with 15 lakh houses/sites, a directly elected mayor, and enhanced IT/BT infrastructure. Additional welfare vows included rice at Rs. 2 per kg for the poorest, community health insurance, and Rs. 400 monthly pensions for widows and the handicapped, alongside governance reforms like strengthening the Lok Ayukta and e-governance. Party leader B.S. Yediyurappa highlighted priority for IT sector growth and Bangalore's development to attract urban voters.[50][51][52] The INC, led by state president Mallikarjun Kharge, unveiled a populist manifesto on April 9, 2008, drawing from Tamil Nadu models, with core pledges mirroring rivals on free power to farmers (up to certain limits) and housing schemes, while criticizing prior governments for corruption and instability. It focused on restoring stable rule, enhancing irrigation projects, and welfare for backward classes, though specifics like exact power quanta were less quantified than competitors'. Kharge's campaign stressed Congress's return to power for equitable development, targeting rural and minority voters disillusioned by the JD(S)-INC coalition collapse.[53][54] JD(S), under H.D. Deve Gowda, released its manifesto on May 5, 2008, envisioning comprehensive farm relief including outright loan waivers for indebted cultivators and free power to farmers, alongside promises for all-round rural infrastructure and regional balance to reclaim Vokkaliga strongholds. The party highlighted its prior coalition experience but pivoted to anti-corruption and pro-farmer stability, though its late release and perceived opportunism limited impact amid voter fatigue from 2004-2007 governance lapses.[49]Party Strategies and Mobilization Efforts
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pursued a strategy of portraying itself as a stable governance alternative amid the instability of prior coalition experiments between the Indian National Congress (INC) and Janata Dal (Secular (JD(S)), which had collapsed twice since 2004. Under state president B.S. Yediyurappa, the party emphasized developmental pledges in its manifesto, including infrastructure expansion, agricultural reforms, and urban renewal to appeal to a broadening electorate beyond its core urban and Lingayat voter base.[36] Arun Jaitley served as a key strategist, coordinating with national leadership for targeted interventions in southern and coastal regions to penetrate non-traditional territories.[38] Mobilization for the BJP involved intensive grassroots efforts, leveraging organizational discipline to conduct widespread rallies and booth-level management, with national figures like L.K. Advani addressing public meetings to energize supporters. This approach contributed to the party's vote share rising to 33.8%, securing 110 seats despite falling short of a majority.[55] The INC's campaign strategy centered on leveraging its national incumbency under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and promises of welfare continuity, while attempting to consolidate minority and backward caste votes against the BJP's perceived communal agenda. However, internal factionalism and inadequate adaptation to local dynamics led to a disorganized effort, with observers noting a failure to mount an aggressive counter to the BJP's momentum in key battlegrounds.[56] Mobilization was hampered by weaker cadre coordination compared to rivals, resulting in a vote share of 34.2% but only 80 seats, as anti-BJP votes fragmented with the JD(S).[56] The JD(S), led by H.D. Kumaraswamy, adopted a defensive strategy rooted in its Vokkaliga strongholds in the old Mysore region, prioritizing farmer welfare, irrigation projects, and critiques of urban-centric policies to retain rural loyalty. Efforts focused on family-led outreach, including Deve Gowda's influence, but lacked broader appeal, confining gains to 28 seats with a 10.4% vote share amid vote splits favoring the BJP.[57] Mobilization emphasized regional rallies and alliances signals, yet post-poll vacillations underscored limited proactive voter engagement beyond core demographics.[58] Other parties, including smaller regional outfits and independents, employed niche strategies like caste-based appeals or anti-corruption rhetoric, but their mobilization remained marginal, collectively winning just six seats through localized efforts in fragmented constituencies.[45]Electoral Controversies and Allegations
The 2008 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election was marred by widespread allegations of voter bribery and inducements, with reports indicating that Karnataka recorded the highest number of such incidents nationwide. A post-poll survey by the Centre for Media Studies found that approximately 23% of voters admitted to receiving cash or gifts in exchange for their votes, surpassing other states and highlighting the pervasive role of money power in influencing outcomes across party lines.[59] Congress and BJP leaders alike acknowledged the prevalence of such practices, with one Congress figure describing political corruption in the state as "unbelievable" and noting that candidates from major parties engaged in distributing cash to voters without significant differentiation.[60] Analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed that 21% of winning candidates had criminal cases pending against them, including serious charges like murder and attempt to murder, raising concerns about the quality of elected representatives and potential links to electoral malpractices.[61] JD(S) leader H.D. Deve Gowda specifically urged the Election Commission to investigate alleged poll violations by the BJP, including misuse of government machinery and inducements during campaigning.[62] Political parties, including Congress and JD(S), also filed complaints against Election Commission officials for perceived high-handedness in enforcing the model code of conduct, such as abrupt restrictions on campaign activities.[63] Discrepancies in electoral rolls drew pre-poll scrutiny, with Congress demanding corrections for inflated or erroneous voter lists in multiple constituencies, potentially enabling bogus voting.[64] While no large-scale booth capturing was reported—owing to the use of electronic voting machines—these issues underscored systemic vulnerabilities in the electoral process, though the Election Commission maintained that overall polling was largely peaceful with a turnout of around 66%.[65]Results
Overall Vote Shares and Seat Distribution
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 110 seats in the 224-member Karnataka Legislative Assembly, emerging as the largest party but falling short of the 113-seat majority required for a simple majority.[33] The Indian National Congress (INC) followed with 80 seats, Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) with 28 seats, and independents with 6 seats, resulting in no party achieving an outright majority.[33] [2]| Party | Seats Won | Vote Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 110 | 33.86[66] |
| Indian National Congress (INC) | 80 | 34.6[33] |
| Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) | 28 | 19.13[66] |
| Independents and Others | 6 | 12.41[66] |
Regional Variations and District-Wise Performance
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) exhibited dominant performance in northern Karnataka, particularly in the Mumbai Karnataka region encompassing districts like Belgaum, Bijapur, and Dharwad, where Lingayat community support and anti-incumbency against the previous Congress-JD(S) coalition propelled it to win a substantial share of the 50 assembly seats in the area.[67] This regional stronghold, combined with effective campaign mobilization, accounted for a significant portion of the BJP's statewide tally of 110 seats.[33] In the coastal belt districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada, the BJP similarly capitalized on its organizational base and Hindu consolidation, securing nearly all available seats and high vote shares exceeding 45% in many constituencies.[68] In contrast, the Indian National Congress (INC) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) held firmer ground in the southern Old Mysore region, including districts such as Mysore, Mandya, and Hassan, where Vokkaliga caste loyalties fragmented the vote between the two parties. The JD(S) won 28 seats overall, with concentrations in Vokkaliga heartlands like Mandya district, reflecting its regional agrarian appeal and family-based political network under H. D. Deve Gowda.[33][69] The INC, with 80 seats statewide, relied on urban pockets in Bangalore and Hyderabad Karnataka districts like Gulbarga and Bidar for additional gains, though it struggled against BJP advances in Lingayat areas there.[67] Hyderabad Karnataka districts showed mixed results, with the INC retaining influence among backward classes but the BJP making inroads through development promises and anti-corruption rhetoric, leading to competitive outcomes in urbanizing segments. Overall turnout varied regionally, averaging 65.1% statewide but higher in southern rural districts due to localized mobilization efforts.[4] These patterns underscored caste and regional identities as key drivers, with the BJP's expansion beyond traditional bases marking a shift from prior elections dominated by Congress-JD(S) alliances.[70]| Region/Division | Key Districts | BJP Seats (approx. share) | INC Seats | JD(S) Seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Karnataka (Belgaum Division) | Belgaum, Bijapur, Dharwad | Majority (e.g., strong in Belgaum urban) | Minority | Minimal | Lingayat support key for BJP dominance.[67] |
| Coastal Karnataka | Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada | Near-total | Few | None | BJP's organizational edge in Hindu-majority areas.[68] |
| Old Mysore (Southern) | Mysore, Mandya, Hassan | Limited | Significant | Strong in Vokkaliga pockets | Split between INC and JD(S).[69] |
| Hyderabad Karnataka | Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar | Competitive gains | Retained base | Scattered | INC held among SC/ST, BJP advanced in towns.[34] |