Incumbent Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah beat BJP candidate B Sriramulu by a narrow margin of 2150 votes in the Badami constituency.

Siddaramaiah was however losing in Chamundeshwari, the second constituency he is contesting this election from, to veteran politician GT Devegowda of the Janata Dal (Secular).

With the Election Commission projecting a lead for the BJP, the ruling party is expected to extend its control to 21 states in the country, including coalitions.

Siddaramaiah, who is the 22nd chief minister of Karnataka, was first elected to the Karnataka assembly in 1983.

In 2005, Siddaramaiah joined the Indian National Congress in the presence of then party chief Sonia Gandhi.

Though he won assembly elections in 2006 and 2008, it was after the victory in 2013 that he was appointed the chief minister of Karnataka.

BJP's Sriramulu is also contesting from a second constituency, Molakalmuru, near Ballari and is known to be extremely close to mining baron G. Janardhana Reddy

Sriramulu is eyeing the post of deputy chief minister if the BJP comes to power.

First Published:May 15, 2018 11:11 AM IST