Elections 98

State:	Karnataka
Constituency:	Kanara
Total Votes Polled:	730812
Winner: BJP	Anant Kumar	363051
Runner Up: INC	Alva Margret	276004
Margin: 87047 (24%)

Elections 96

State:	Karnataka
Constituency:	Kanara
Total Votes Polled:	662500
Winner: BJP	Anant D Hedge	276311
Runner Up: JD	Pramod Hegde	220415
Margin: 55896 (8.68%)

In 1977, when the south remained steadfast with the Congress, trying his luck at the hustings on the Lok Dal ticket was Ramakrishna Hegde. Rebuffed by the voters, he did not try again. In the 1991 election the BJP fielded K Manjunath, but still could come only second. In 1996, however, it struck pay dirt with its candidate Anant D Hegde, trouncing the Janata Dal.