Early trends in the Karnataka assembly elections show that the Congress is in the lead and has extended its advantage over the BJP to about 7% of the vote.
Early trends indicated that the party had a lead of 112 seats by 10.35 am, which put it close to the halfway point. The BJP is in the lead on 74 seats, followed by the Janata Dal (Secular) on 30, the Independents on 3, and Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha on a combined one.
219 of the state’s 224 seats had trends available. 43.2 percent of the vote went to the Congress, 36.4 percent to the BJP, and 12.6 percent to the JD(S). In assembly, there are 113 total pieces.
At 8 am, voting started, with high levels of security being enforced across the state.
In expectation of victory, there were celebrations at the Congress headquarters in Delhi.
While the ballots were being counted for the elections in Karnataka, former chief minister of Karnataka and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy visited a temple in Bengaluru.
A Lord Hanuman temple in Shimla was visited by Congress politician Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
The exit polls indicated a hung legislature, with some predicting a majority return for Congress. Some exit polls also put the BJP in the lead.
Janata Dal (Secular) may act as a kingmaker if there is hung legislature.
On Saturday, Kumaraswamy said that he has not been approached on the formation of the government in the event of a cliffhanger and expressed his hope for a strong performance.
“It will become evident in the following two to three hours. Exit polls predict significant victories for the two major parties. According to the polls, JD(S) will have 30–32 seats. There is no demand for me since I am a minor party.”I’m hoping for a positive outcome,” he remarked.
To yet, nobody has gotten in touch with me. Let’s wait and see what the outcomes are. The exit polls indicate that there is no need for choices. Let’s wait and see, said the JD(S) leader.
The exit polls, which were published after voting in Karnataka was completed, indicated that Janata Dal-Secular JD(S) would hold onto the 37 seats it gained in the last election while also being a significant regional force in the state.
Both the BJP and Congress are dependent on the hotly fought election that witnessed high-pitched campaigning from the major parties.
