In a significant electoral triumph, HD Kumaraswamy, the former Chief Minister of Karnataka and the candidate representing Janata Dal (Secular), emerged victorious from the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency. Contesting under the JD(S)-BJP alliance banner, Kumaraswamy secured a decisive victory over Congress nominee Venkataramane Gowda, with a substantial margin of 284,620 votes.
The political scion, HD Kumaraswamy, hailing from the lineage of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, garnered an impressive tally of 851,881 votes, solidifying his position. In contrast, Venkataramane Gowda trailed behind, securing 567,261 votes, marking a clear distinction in the electoral outcome. Notably, incumbent Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambareesh, who had previously won as an independent candidate in 2019, transitioned to the BJP earlier this year, opting out of the 2024 electoral fray.
In a strategic move, the Congress party, eyeing a resurgence in Mandya after a decade-long hiatus, fielded Venkataramane Gowda, affectionately known as ‘Star Chandru’. This decision was bolstered by the support of Independent MLA K H Puttaswamy Gowda from Gauribidanur, who had previously aligned with the Congress in the Rajya Sabha elections. Mandya, situated amidst the bustling corridors between Bengaluru and Mysuru, has historically been a battleground for Congress and JD(S), each vying for dominance, while the BJP, although relatively subdued, has been steadily making inroads in recent times.
Kumaraswamy, currently at the helm of Karnataka State Janata Dal (Secular), boasts an illustrious political career. Having served previously as a Lok Sabha member and presently as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Kumaraswamy has represented constituencies like Channapatna and Ramanagara over the years, showcasing his enduring influence and political acumen.
The electoral landscape of Mandya witnessed a substantial voter turnout, with 81.67% of the registered voters, totaling 1,453,060 votes, exercising their franchise in the 2024 polls, as per data released by the Election Commission. The electoral showdown unfolded on April 26, 2024, during the second phase of polling, underscoring the democratic fervor gripping the constituency.
Reflecting on past electoral trends, the 2019 Lok Sabha polls saw Sumalatha Ambareesh clinching victory as an independent candidate, securing 703,660 votes, constituting 51.02% of the total votes cast. Ambareesh emerged triumphant over Nikhil Kumaraswamy, with a commanding margin of 125,876 votes. Similarly, in 2014, C.S. Puttaraju emerged victorious from Mandya, securing 524,370 votes (43.97%), edging out Ramya of the Congress party by a narrow margin of 5,518 votes.