BJP’s Shashil Namoshi wins for the fifth time in the North East Teachers Constituency

BJP candidate Shashil G. Namoshi celebrates his victory with party leaders and supporters at the counting center at Gulbarga University in Kalaburagi on Tuesday. | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI

BJP candidate Shashil G. Namoshi, who is contesting as an NDA candidate backed by the BJP-Janata Dal(S) alliance, has won the Northeast Teachers constituency in the Legislative Council elections for the fifth time, defeating his Congress rival Sharanappa Mattur by 3,297 votes.

According to the final tabulation sheet provided by the Returning Officer, Mr. Namoshi got 15,596 first preference votes against 12,299 polled by Mr. Mattur.

The prescribed winning quota was 14,191 votes, which Mr. Namoshi exceeded in the first count of preferential votes.

The counting of votes polled in the October 23 election was held at Bhaskar Hall of the Department of Mathematics, Gulbarga University, Kalaburagi on Tuesday. Counting took place over 14 tables under the supervision of election officials.

Mr. Namoshi maintained his lead over Mr. Mattur from the first round of counting by securing 7,243 votes against 5,714 polled Congress candidates, creating a lead of 1,529 votes.

In the second round, Mr Namoshi secured another 7,288 votes, bringing his total to 14,531 and increasing his lead to 3,232 votes.

The final tabulation sheet records 28,380 valid votes and 1,873 rejected ballots, so the total number of ballots counted is 30,253.

Among the other candidates, Independent Rajkumar K. Kalaburagi got 167 votes, followed by Independent Raju Devappa Sonna with 127 votes. Independent Kaviraj Naganna Motakpalli got 49 votes while Janata Dal(S) candidate Shankar Reddy Patil got 44 votes.

Aam Aadmi Party candidate Saibanna Jamadar got 40 votes.

The remaining candidates were Sharanu P. Sugur (13 votes), Suresh Davidappa (13), Shivashankar Annappa Tarnalli (12), Mahaboob Mohammed Khaja Hussain Vanteli (10), TK Dasar (6) and Shashidhar Basawaraj (four votes).

The constituency covers seven districts of Kalyana Karnataka region – Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari and Vijayanagara.

After becoming confident of his victory, Mr. Namoshi thanked the teaching community for reposing faith in him for a fifth term.

He said he would continue to work tirelessly to resolve teachers’ grievances, protect their interests and respond to their concerns.

He also expressed his belief that the results will serve as an indicator of the political situation ahead of the 2028 parliamentary elections.

BJP workers and supporters celebrated the victory in Kalaburagi.

Chief Whip of Opposition in the Legislative Council N. Ravikumar, MLC BG Patil, legislators, former legislators and other BJP leaders attended the celebration.

Congratulating Mr. Namoshi, Mr. Ravikumar described the victory as a recognition of his continued commitment to the welfare of teachers and their interests in Kalyana Karnataka.

He also thanked party leaders, mandal and booth level workers and voters for their support.

Mr. Mattur, who defeated Mr. Namoshi in the earlier elections, has now lost to him in consecutive contests.

Published – 27 Oct 2026 21:10 IST