The BJP Tuesday accused the Congress and the JD(S) of using money and muscle power to win the bypolls in Karnataka, but said it would introspect the outcome and strengthen the party before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

BY Raghavendra of BJP won the Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat in the by-election, the results of which is announced today.

Clapping and chanting 'Ayyappa saranam', about 200 frenzied devotees surrounded a woman pilgrim on Tuesday to prevent her from entering the Sabarimala shrine, suspecting her to be of menstrual age.

Reacting to the defeat in five constituencies in the by-elections, BJP leader Suresh Kumar said that it was time for introspection about the defeat.

Anand Nyamagowda of the Congress registered a victory against BJP candidate Kulkarni with a huge margin.

 Former chief minister Siddaramaiah expressed his happiness over the results of the by-election in the state.

“The celebration of Naraka Chaturdashi is meaningful in Ballary. People have moved from darkness to light. I wish the people of the state on the occasion of Deepavali”, Siddaramaiah tweeted.

VS Ugrappa of Congress in Ballary Lok Sabha seat, Shivarame Gowda of JDS in Mandya LS seat and Anitha Kumaraswamy of JDS in Ramanagar emerged victorious in the by-elections with a huge margin. But the Election Commission is yet to announce their victory officially.