Karnataka's ruling BJP is heading for a sweep in bypolls it needed to win to retain power in the state. The party is leading in 12 of 15 seats, in a big boost for Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's four-month-old government, formed after defections from the previous Congress-Janata Dal Secular coalition. The Congress is holding on to two seats, and an independent is leading in one. Conceding defeat, the Congress said voters had "accepted defectors".
