Elections 98

State:	Karnataka
Constituency:	Chitradurga
Total Votes Polled:	763214
Winner: INC	C.P.Mudala Giriyappa	321930
Runner Up: LS	P.Kodandaramaiah	263609
Margin: 58321 (18%)

Elections 96

State:	Karnataka
Constituency:	Chitradurga
Total Votes Polled:	722485
Winner: JD	P Kodandaramaiah	251617
Runner Up: INC	C P Mudaliagiriyappa	232235
Margin: 19382 (2.75%)

In 1991 the BJP found itself in second place, with 38.2 % of the vote, raising hopes of winning the seat in 1996. It came as a surprise, then, when the Janata Dal's P Kodandaramaiah romped home, and the BJP was pushed to third place behind the Congress.