Karnataka Election Result 2023 updates: Congress gets absolute majority as it unseats BJP from power

Congress clinched absolute majority in the Karnataka assembly elections on Saturday. 

Congress' party workers celebrated outsidet Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office on Saturday after the party swept assembly elections. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted to appreciate the hardwork of all the BJP Karyakartas in the Karnataka assembly elections. 

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Congress after it clinched victory in Karnataka elections. 

Congress clinched victory over 103 seats and lead on 33 more as the counting of votes continued. BJP has till now won 50 seats and is leading on 14 others. So far, Congress has secured 43.11 per cent of the total vote share. 

As trends showed BJP trailing in the elections, Karnataka's Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, "Will rebuild party and come back in parliamentary elections." 

Congress party's candidate Dinesh Gundu Rao clinched a victory from Gandhi Nagar seat by a margin of 105 votes. 

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar, after winning from Kanakpura constituency, collected his certificate and showed a victory sign.   

lAccording to the latest ECI data, Congress up in 137 constituencies as it leads in 101 seats and wins 36 seats. BJP leading in 45 seats, wins 17 seats.

"Poor people defeated crony capitalists in Karnataka. We didn't fight this battle using hatred," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on party's thumping victory in  Karnataka polls.

Congress leader and former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah exuded confidence in getting more than 130 seats in the elections, as the early trends suggest that the party will likely form government in the southern state. 

"We will cross 130 seats also, it is a big victory of Congress party. People of Karnataka wanted a change because they were fed up with the BJP govt. BJP spent a lot of money on Operation 'Kamala'. Padyatra of Rahul ji helped as well in enthusing cadre of party," he said.

Congress vote share soared to 43% as the party has won 4 seats, and leads in 129 others. Meanwhile BJP's vote share plummets to 35.8% as the party leads in 64 seats, according to the Election Commission data.

Congress leads in 128 seats in Karnataka, whereas BJP ahead in 67 seats. Janata Dal (Secular) leading in 22 constituencies.

Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar gets emotional on his party's comfortable victory in state Assembly elections.

BJP leader and incumbent Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai admits defeat, says the party will introspect once the final results are out.

"In spite of a lot of efforts put in by PM & BJP workers, we've not been able to make the mark. Once the full results come we'll do a detailed analysis. We take this result in our stride to come back in Lok Sabha elections," Karnataka CM Bommai

The Congress party, which has gained significant leads in the early trends, is preparing to form government in the southern Karantaka state. The party has called a meeting of its MLAs where they will decide on the next course of action.

Congress is on course to become the biggest party in Karnataka. The party has already breached the majority mark in early leads and looks all set to come back to power. 

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Janata Dal-Secular played an important role in forming the government in the Karnataka Assembly elections in 2018. However, this year, it looks highly unlikely the party would be the 'kingmaker'. 

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The BJP is leading in Udupi, Bangalore South and Chincholi. As per media reports, the BJP improved its vote share compared to last time.

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"The result of the atmosphere that was seen in Karnataka during Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, clearly shows in Karnataka election results...This will be repeated in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha election in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana," tweeted Ashok Gehlot, Rajasthan chief minister. 

Since 1985, no incumbent party has managed to return to power in Karnataka. The trend is expected to continue this year as well. Congress is comfortably perched atop the seat count and will likely form the government in the state.  

According to latest EC data, Congress leads on 119 seats, BJP on 72, JD(S) on 25 while other parties and independent candidates have managed to usurp eight seats. 

"Congress has the majority. We will have a thumping victory. The slogan of "40 per cent commission government" given by us, was accepted by the public. It was a major issue raised by us to defeat BJP. People accepted it and gave majority to the Congress," says senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot. 

To avoid BJPs horse-trading tactic, Congress is reportedly planning to take its MLAs to Tamil Nadu and is in touch with the ruling DMK party there. 

Former BJP CM BS Yeddyurappa’s son BY Vijayendra is currently leading on the Shikaripura assembly seat by 8,715 votes against Goni Malatesh of Congress, according to EC. 

BJP's Mahesh Tenginkai leads, Congress' Jagadish Shettar trails in the Hubli-Dharwad Central Assembly constituency, as per ECI. Congress: 110, BJP: 74, JD(S): 25

According to EC data, Karnataka CM and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai is currently leading from the Shiggaon assembly seat. 

Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar leads in Kanakapura Assembly constituency, BJP's R Ashoka trailing, as per Election Commission. 

According to Election Commission website, of the 101 seats, Congress is currently leading on 57 seats while BJP occupies the second spot with 34 seats. JD(S) is currently leading on 7 seats. 

To avoid any horse-trading, Congress has issued a mandate to its MLAs, asking them to reach Bengaluru today. Karnataka and its resort politics might be the reason for such a step. 

Latest figures state that Congress has breached the majority number of 113 in the early trends, an hour into the counting. 

According to early trends, former chief minister Siddaramaiah and incumbent CM Basavaraj Bommai are leading on their seats in the Karnataka Assembly election result 2023. 

"We are very confident that my father (Siddaramaiah) is going to win in Varuna constituency with a huge margin. Congress will get an absolute majority and will come to power on its own," said Congress leader Yathindra Siddaramaiah.

Though most exit polls had given a commanding majority to Congress, it is BJP that has come out of the blocks sharply. According to various media reports, BJP is leading on 73 seats while Congress is close behind on 66 Assembly seats, according to early trends. Election Commission is yet to tally the figures. 

"Today is a big day for Karnataka as the people's verdict for the state will be out. I am confident that #BJP will win with absolute majority and give a stable government," said Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai, in Hubballi. 

The counting of votes for 224 constituencies at 35 centres across 34 districts in the state began at sharp 8:00 am. The intial trends are expected to follow soon.

 "There is no plan for me. There is no responsibility on me either, according to the exit polls," says JD(S) chief HD Kumaraswamy ahead of the counting of polls.

Votes will be counted from 8 am in 36 centres across Karnataka. By the afternoon, it will be clear who will be forming the government.