If the people of Karnataka are to go by the exit poll predictions released after the conclusion of voting on Wednesday evening, Karnataka is poised for a hung assembly, with the Congress emerging as the largest party in the Karnataka Assembly elections, closely followed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Karnataka Assembly elections witnessed a significant voter turnout of 72.81 per cent on Wednesday. The ruling BJP, the determined Congress, and the JD(S) are engaged in a closely contested battle, with the JD(S) potentially playing a decisive role in the event of a hung assembly.
Multiple pollsters have indicated that the Congress might hold an advantage in Karnataka, despite it being the BJP’s stronghold. Some projections even suggest that the grand old party could secure a majority on its own in a hung assembly scenario.
Let’s Look At Some of The Updates
Karnataka Polls: How Will The Result Impact BJP, Congress
For BJP: While losing Karnataka would dent the BJP’s claim of being a pan-India party, it could serve as a wake-up call and galvanize the party as it prepares for the upcoming 2024 elections. Winning Karnataka is seen by political experts and pollsters as crucial for building momentum and instilling confidence ahead of the larger battle in 2024.
For Congress: On the other hand, a victory in Karnataka would be a significant achievement for Congress, with national president Mallikarjun Kharge leading the charge. It would inject new energy into the party and provide a much-needed boost as they aim to challenge the BJP in the next Lok Sabha elections. Given Kharge’s roots in Karnataka, a win would hold special significance and redemption for the respected Dalit leader, who previously missed out on becoming Chief Minister despite his party’s victory.
‘Hope BJP Will Learn a Lesson on May 13’: Chhattisgarh CM Baghel
After the exit polls predicted Congress’s edge over the BJP in Karnataka polls, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday hoped that the BJP will learn a lesson on May 13, the day on which the results of Karnataka Assembly elections will be declared.
Congress is expected to have a clear edge in Karnataka in the assembly elections held on Wednesday with four exit polls giving it a full majority and some predicting a hung assembly with an advantage to the party.
BJP Stresses On Development, Double-engine Sarkar, Cong Banks on Guarantees, Local Issues
The fiercely-contested Karnataka battle saw parties adopting different strategies to woo the voters with the BJP emphasising its development plank and the Congress seeking to keep the narrative to local issues.
Corruption was a key issue in the polls held on Wednesday with leaders from both parties levelling allegations against each other almost in every public meeting.
‘Keep Ambulance Ready…’, Says Amit Malviya As He Rejects Exit Poll Results
BJP leader Amit Malviya rejected the exit poll results that gave Congress a clear upper hand and said there was “nothing that suggest, either in the voting percentage or on the ground, that Congress will have a run away win”.
Criticising the people, who are “excited” over ecit poll results, Malviya wrote: “These are just Exit Polls and not the actual result. Keep an ambulance handy in case the result flips, which is very likely.”
It was amusing to see the reactions, to Exit Polls, of those who are desperately hoping for a Congress win. Out of job journalists abusing those who they think are in favour with the current regime, glee on faces of journalists who are apologists of the Congress and often do a…
— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) May 10, 2023
He added: “It was amusing to see the reactions, to Exit Polls, of those who are desperately hoping for a Congress win. Out of job journalists abusing those who they think are in favour with the current regime, glee on faces of journalists who are apologists of the Congress and often do a better job than official spokespersons, Congress apparatchik rushing to credit Rahul Gandhi and assorted minions beating themselves blue in excitement…”
According to the latest figures available at 10 pm, the turnout stood at 72.81 per cent. The EC said the final figures will be known by Thursday.
Karnataka recorded a 72.36 per cent voter turnout in the 2018 Assembly polls which had thrown up a hung assembly with the BJP emerging as the single largest party with 104 seats, falling slightly short of getting a majority.
Bommai Rejects Karnataka Exit Poll Results
Rejecting the Karnataka exit poll results predicting a tight contest between BJP and Congress or a hung assembly, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday exuded confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party will form a government in the southern state with a full majority.
Speaking to the media from his home constituency Shiggaon, he said, “Exit polls are exit polls. Our information is that we will get an absolute majority. Exit polls are not 100 per cent correct. Earlier also, exit polls have been proved wrong. This time also it will be. I am 200 per cent sure we will win. Let us wait till May 13 (result day).” Read More
Exit Polls Predict Hung House With Edge to Congress
Karnataka is heading towards a hung assembly with Congress emerging as the single largest party in the Karnataka Assembly elections followed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as per the exit poll predictions released after the voting ended on Wednesday evening.
Most of the exit polls predicted Congress would get more seats than the BJP but is likely to fall short of a majority. However, the race seems tight with exit polls giving the ruling BJP 78-100 seats.
Can BJP Break the Jinx?
While the BJP, riding on the Modi juggernaut, is looking to break a 38-year-old poll jinx where the state has never voted the incumbent party to power, the Congress is hoping for a morale booster victory to give it a much-needed elbow room and momentum to position itself as the main opposition player in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
If the people of Karnataka are to go by the exit poll predictions released after the conclusion of voting on Wednesday evening, Karnataka is poised for a hung assembly, with the Congress emerging as the largest party in the Karnataka Assembly elections, closely followed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Karnataka Assembly elections witnessed a significant voter turnout of 72.81 per cent on Wednesday. The ruling BJP, the determined Congress, and the JD(S) are engaged in a closely contested battle, with the JD(S) potentially playing a decisive role in the event of a hung assembly.
Multiple pollsters have indicated that the Congress might hold an advantage in Karnataka, despite it being the BJP’s stronghold. Some projections even suggest that the grand old party could secure a majority on its own in a hung assembly scenario.