<p>Mahalakshmi Layout was a tough nut to crack for the ruling BJP. But the saffron party romped home despite dissent within the party following the defection of Gopalaiah.</p>.<p>It managed to quell rebellion by mollifying its leaders and put up a collective show, resulting in the resounding victory of Gopalaiah for the third consecutive time in the constituency.</p>.<p>In the past, the BJP had lost two closely-fought polls in the constituency. Though the party experimented by changing candidates, Gopalaiah successfully foiled the BJP’s plans in 2013 and 2018. The just-concluded bypolls demonstrate his popularity. Gopalaiah’s victory also helped the BJP open its account in the constituency since the reorganisation of constituencies in 2008. </p>.<p>Unlike other constituencies, Mahalakshmi Layout witnessed a one-sided show since the first round of counting. Congress corporator M Shivaraju’s dream of an elevation from the corporation to the legislature was dashed after he lost to Gopalaiah.</p>.<p>The saving grace for the Congress was that it emerged the runner-up this time. It had stood third in the 2018 polls.</p>.<p>The JD(S), which had won the constituency earlier owing to the sizeable Vokkaliga population in the area, lost the deposit and tasted a humiliating setback at the hustings.</p>
<p>Mahalakshmi Layout was a tough nut to crack for the ruling BJP. But the saffron party romped home despite dissent within the party following the defection of Gopalaiah.</p>.<p>It managed to quell rebellion by mollifying its leaders and put up a collective show, resulting in the resounding victory of Gopalaiah for the third consecutive time in the constituency.</p>.<p>In the past, the BJP had lost two closely-fought polls in the constituency. Though the party experimented by changing candidates, Gopalaiah successfully foiled the BJP’s plans in 2013 and 2018. The just-concluded bypolls demonstrate his popularity. Gopalaiah’s victory also helped the BJP open its account in the constituency since the reorganisation of constituencies in 2008. </p>.<p>Unlike other constituencies, Mahalakshmi Layout witnessed a one-sided show since the first round of counting. Congress corporator M Shivaraju’s dream of an elevation from the corporation to the legislature was dashed after he lost to Gopalaiah.</p>.<p>The saving grace for the Congress was that it emerged the runner-up this time. It had stood third in the 2018 polls.</p>.<p>The JD(S), which had won the constituency earlier owing to the sizeable Vokkaliga population in the area, lost the deposit and tasted a humiliating setback at the hustings.</p>
