For Binayak Shahu, it was a dream come true to see his idol Narendra Modi don the Prime Minister's hat. “I have cycled 900 km in the last 40 days all across India covering Modi and other BJP candidates and am very happy,” he said perched on top of his bicycle, which was completely covered in saffron. The counting, which started at 8.30 a.m. at SSMRV College, a stone's throw from Infosys chairman, NR Narayana Murthy’s house, saw BJP and Congress supporters in full strength right from the morning.

But as the hours passed, it was becoming increasingly clear that Nilekani was on his way to a massive loss against the BJP’s HN Ananthkumar, the incumbent candidate who has won the Bangalore South five times in a row.

By mid-afternoon and with just a couple of rounds left for counting, the lead had gone to Ananthkumar and Nilekani decided that it was time to say good bye. “ I may not have the opportunity to serve you as an MP but my work for Bangalore will continue,” he told a group of reporters who had gathered at the counting booth. Nilekani also said that despite the loss, Bangalore would remain his priority. People in this city are hungry for better governance, he noted, and hence he will work with the relevant groups and parties to achieve that, he added.

Gracious in his defeat, Nilekani congratulated Ananthkumar and thanked the voters who had kept their faith in him. “To those who did not vote for me, I regret that I was unable to win your support in the election,” he added.

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