The ruling BJP in Karnataka today marched ahead with its candidates establishing early leads in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies and its rival Congress in six and JDS in four seats.
JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda, who played a key role in formation of the third front, was surging ahead in his home turf Hassan against Congress candidate B Shivram, while his son H D Kumaraswamy was leading in Bangalore Rural over BJP rival C P Yogeshwar by 13,000 votes.
Sitting MP and BJP General Secretary H N Anantkumar trailed in the prestigious Bangalore South constituency by more than 13,000 votes against Congress' B Krishna Byregowda.
In Uttara Kannada, Congress leader Margaret Alva was trailing by more than 6,000 votes against BJP'S Anantkumr Hegde.
B Y Raghavendra, son of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, has established a sizeable lead of 13,459 votes over Congress heavyweight and former Chief Minister S Bangarappa in Shimoga where he was locked in a fierce contest.
Other prominent candidates maintaining leads over their rivals include former Chief Minister N Dharam Singh in Bidar who is leading by more than 4000 votes and Union Minister K H Muniappa in Kolar Reserved seat.
Cine star Ambareesh trailed behind by 18,000 votes in Mandya where JDS N Cheluvarayaswamy was leading.
In Bellary, Congress candidate N Y Hanumanthappa has established a slender margin over BJP's J Shanthi.
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