In a major setback for BJP in the Central Karnataka region comprising Shivamogga, Davangere, Chitradurga and Chikkamagaluru districts, the party, which had won 21 seats out of 25 in the 2018 polls, managed to win only five seats this time. Congress made a strong comeback and won 19 seats. JD(S) won one seat. The major reasons for the saffron party’s defeat include the