ANANTH KUMAR

Constituency : Bangalore South

The BJP's stupendous performance in the Karnataka assembly elections is perhaps salve to a nationwide wound that needs plenty of licking. Among the victorious is BJP state president Ananth Kumar, who emerged fourth time lucky, comfortably defeating his rival M Krishnappa of the Congress. Whether Kumar will take over the reins of the state is a question left to the kingmakers.

Photographs: B K RAMESH