The Congress-JDS combine has trumped its chief rival BJP in the Karnataka bypolls (Shivmoga LS victory is the only exception) for two Lok Sabha and three Assembly segments. The saffron party has lost the Bellary LS seat by a huge margin.

Following the results, major Congress leader DK Shivakumar said, "I think as far as southern India is concerned, you can't make Ram Mandir and all those issues a political plank. People are looking at what they are going to get, what benefit they are going to get in social and economic sector, administration and transparency."

"Big Congress win in Bellary LS bypoll. It has stormed a BJP bastion after 14 years and unclenched the Reddy brothers tight hold on the seat. Cong-JDS Alliance seems more steady than predicted," a commentator said.

"BJP's Sriramulu campaigned saying "BJP for Parliament, DK Shivakumar for Jail". But people of Bellary voted overwhelmingly for Congress," a Congress functionary said