Karnataka bypoll results LIVE Updates: People of Karnataka voted for a stable government, says PM Modi

Counting of the votes for the Karnataka by-elections held on December 5 in 15 Assembly constituencies began on Monday.

"Vote count in all the 15 Assembly segments began at 8.00 am at 11 centres, including three in Bengaluru for four urban seats. Postal ballots are counted first, followed by counting of votes in EVMs," Election Commission official G Jadiyappa told IANS.

Elections were held at the Yellapur, Ranebennur, Vijayanagara, Yeshwantpur, Mahalakshmi Layout, Chikkaballapura, KR Puram, Shivajinagar, KR Pete, Hunsur, Athani, Kagwad, Gokak, Hirekerur, and Hoskote seats.

The results of the by-polls will decide the fate of the four-month-old BS Yediyurappa-led Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state.

In the current 207-member Assembly, the Yediyurappa government has a majority with 106 MLAs, including an independent lawmaker. While the actual total strength of the Assembly is 224, 14 Congress and three Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs had resigned in July, leading to the collapse of the previous HD Kumaraswamy government. The rebel MLAs joined the BJP in November.

Following the MLAs' resignation, they were disqualified by the then Speaker, KR Ramesh. The by-polls were held to fill the vacancies caused after the disqualification.

The results are likely to be declared by the afternoon.

Here are the Live updates on Karnataka by-elections:

BJP's Anand Singh reacts on his win from Vijayanagar, says it's a victory for the people from the constituency.

BJP candidate ST Somashekar wins from Yeshwanthpur constituency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the people of Karnataka have voted for a stable government. He adds that Karnataka has rejected Congress and JD(S).

Congress candidate Rizwan Arshad wins from Shivajinagar constituency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa to congratulate him on BJP's victory in the state.

Independent candidate Sharath Bachegowda leads by 9,640 votes from Hoskote constituency.

BJP bags first seat in Karnataka Assembly Bypoll. BJP candidate from Yellapur, Arabail Shivaram Hebbar, defeats Congress' Bhimanna Naik by over 31,000 votes.

Karnataka Congress troubleshooter DK Shivakumar said, "We have to agree with the mandate of the voters of these 15 constituencies. People have accepted the defectors. We have accepted defeat, I don't think we have to be disheartened".

The people chose BJP as they want a stable government says, R Ashoka. He said that Siddaramiah should take moral responsibility and resign.

Major setback for BJP's H Vishwanath in Hunsur constituency as Congress candidate HP Manjunath defeats him by 31,036 votes by end of 15th round of counting.

Manjunath has gathered 75,586 votes while Vishwanath has 44,550 votes and JD(S)'s Somashekar has 26,746.

Congress candidate Rizwan Arshad is leading with 19,531 votes in Shivajinagar after the fifth round of counting. BJP candidate Saravana has 11,981 votes and JD(S) candidate Tanveer Ulla is far behind with just 330 votes.

Congress is leading in Shivajinagar with 14,802, BJP - 9694, JD(S) - 282 and Nota - 297

BJP's Amit Malviya took to Twitter to celebrate the massive lead in Karnataka by-election results. 

BJP is currently leading in 11 of the 15 seats. Congress is leading in two and JDS is leading in one. An Independent is leading in one seat.

The ruling BJP is leading in 10 seats, Congress & JDS leading in two seats each, Independent leading in one seat.

According to latest EC trends, BJP is leading in nine seats, Congress and JDS in two seats each and Independent candidate in one.

The ruling BJP is leading in 8 of the 15 Assembly constituencies. "According to initial trends, the BJP is leading in 8 Assembly segments, while the opposition Congress and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) in two seats each," poll official G Jadiyappa told IANS.

Congress candidate Rizwan Arshad is leading in Shivajinagar constituency with 4,362 votes. 

BJP leading in Hirekerur, Ranibennur, Yellapur, Chikkaballapur, Vijayanagara and Mahalaxmi Layout; Congress leading in Shivajinagar and Hunasuru; JDS leading in KR Pete and Yeshvanthapura and Independent candidate SK Bachegowda leading in Hosakote.

According to EC trends, BJP is leading in Yellapur and Chikkaballapur constituencies, Congress leading in Shivajinagar and Hunasuru constituencies and JDS leading in KR Pete.