<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/passenger-plane-crashes-in-cuba-killing-more-than-100-people-138046">Passenger plane crashes in Cuba, killing more than 100 people</a></p>

<p>More than 100 people were killed in a fiery crash of a Boeing 737 passenger plane in Cuba on Friday, with just three seriously injured survivors in hospital after being pulled from the wreckage, officials and state media said.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ten-dead-in-texas-school-shooting-student-arrested-138048">Ten dead in Texas school shooting, student arrested</a></p>

<p>Ten people, mostly students, were killed in a deadly attack when a 17-year-old fellow student opened fire at his Texas High school on Friday.&nbsp</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jds-congress-mlas-head-back-to-bengaluru-for-floor-test-today-138058">JD(S), Congress MLAs arrive in Bengaluru for floor test today</a></p>

<p>Newly-elected JD(S) and Congress lawmakers from Karnataka, who had been camping in two hotels in Hyderabad to avoid any poaching bids, arrived in Bengaluru today&nbspfor the crucial floor test in the state assembly.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-floor-test-in-karnataka-section-144-imposed-in-mangalore--138055">Ahead of floor test in Karnataka, section 144 imposed in Mangalore</a></p>

<p>To avoid any kind of mishap in Karnataka ahead of the floor test, the&nbspadministration has imposed Section 144 in the state's Mangalore city.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-india's-longest-road-tunnel-in-j&k-today-138056#photo-138050">PM Modi to inaugurate India's longest road tunnel in J&K today</a></p>

<p>Zojila tunnel will India's longest road tunnel and Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel. The 14.2 km tunnel is estimated to cost over 6,000 crores and will cut travel time between Srinagar to Leh</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-pm-modi-to-inaugurate-kishanganga-hydroelectricity-plant-that-was-once-halted-by-pakistan-138063">J&K: PM Modi to inaugurate Kishanganga Hydroelectricity plant that was once halted by Pakistan</a></p>

<p>PM Modi will inaugurate&nbspKishanganga Hydroelectric Plant, the Megawatt hydroelectricity project&nbspin Jammu and Kashmir today.&nbsp</p>


Passenger plane crashes in Cuba, killing more than 100 people More than 100 people were killed in a fiery crash of a Boeing 737 passenger plane in Cuba on Friday, with just three seriously injured survivors in hospital after being pulled from the wreckage, officials and state media said. Ten dead in Texas school shooting, student arrested Ten people, mostly students, were killed in a deadly attack when a 17-year-old fellow student opened fire at his Texas High school on Friday. JD(S), Congress MLAs arrive in Bengaluru for floor test today Newly-elected JD(S) and Congress lawmakers from Karnataka, who had been camping in two hotels in Hyderabad to avoid any poaching bids, arrived in Bengaluru today&nbspfor the crucial floor test in the state assembly. Ahead of floor test in Karnataka, section 144 imposed in Mangalore To avoid any kind of mishap in Karnataka ahead of the floor test, the&nbspadministration has imposed Section 144 in the state's Mangalore city. PM Modi to inaugurate India's longest road tunnel in J&K today Zojila tunnel will India's longest road tunnel and Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel. The 14.2 km tunnel is estimated to cost over 6,000 crores and will cut travel time between Srinagar to Leh J&K: PM Modi to inaugurate Kishanganga Hydroelectricity plant that was once halted by Pakistan PM Modi will inaugurate&nbspKishanganga Hydroelectric Plant, the Megawatt hydroelectricity project&nbspin Jammu and Kashmir today.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>As few hours are left to go for the floor test in Karnataka, speculations are on the rise of the two Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Pratapgowda Patil who have gone incommunicado.</p>

<p>According to sources,&nbsp;BJP MLA G Somashekhar Reddy is with the two 'missing' Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Pratap Gowda.</p>

<p>Some TV reports had claimed earlier&nbsp;that the two time MLA from Vijayanagara (Ballari), Anand Singh would resign from the Congress after taking oath as the member of the Karnataka assembly. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The other Congress MLA Pratapgowda Patil had also slipped out of the Congress party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to some reports, the MLA had fleed the Congress bus to Eagleton resort and boarded a flight out of the HAL airport.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Patil had won previously from the BJP ticket in 2008 and was asking for a ticket from the party in the recent elections too. However, the BJP had denied his demands.</p>

<p>He won the recent polls on Congress ticket from the Masik constituency in Raichur.</p>

<p>Some media reports have also indicated that the BJP was trying to contact the discontent MLAs from Congress and JDS in order to woo their support and attain the required majority.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Two Congress MLAs Anand Singh & Pratap Gowda Patil have not yet come to the assembly for oath-taking. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FloorTest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FloorTest</a> to be held at 4 pm today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/I5zInGgWAn">pic.twitter.com/I5zInGgWAn</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/997720727808753664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP MLA G Somashekhar Reddy is with the two 'missing' Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Pratap Gouda: Sources <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaFloorTest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaFloorTest</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/997740400843599873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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As few hours are left to go for the floor test in Karnataka, speculations are on the rise of the two Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Pratapgowda Patil who have gone incommunicado

As few hours are left to go for the floor test in Karnataka, speculations are on the rise of the two Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Pratapgowda Patil who have gone incommunicado. According to sources, BJP MLA G Somashekhar Reddy is with the two 'missing' Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Pratap Gowda. Some TV reports had claimed earlier that the two time MLA from Vijayanagara (Ballari), Anand Singh would resign from the Congress after taking oath as the member of the Karnataka assembly. The other Congress MLA Pratapgowda Patil had also slipped out of the Congress party. According to some reports, the MLA had fleed the Congress bus to Eagleton resort and boarded a flight out of the HAL airport. Patil had won previously from the BJP ticket in 2008 and was asking for a ticket from the party in the recent elections too. However, the BJP had denied his demands. He won the recent polls on Congress ticket from the Masik constituency in Raichur. Some media reports have also indicated that the BJP was trying to contact the discontent MLAs from Congress and JDS in order to woo their support and attain the required majority. Two Congress MLAs Anand Singh & Pratap Gowda Patil have not yet come to the assembly for oath-taking. #FloorTest to be held at 4 pm today. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/I5zInGgWAn — ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2018 × BJP MLA G Somashekhar Reddy is with the two 'missing' Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Pratap Gouda: Sources #KarnatakaFloorTest — ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2018 ×

Karnataka floor test: BJP lawmaker with 2 'missing' Congress MLAs say sources

<p>After <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rjd-alliance-parties-meet-bihar-governor-submit-letter-proving-majority-137916">RJD leader&nbspTejashwi Yadav</a> met with the Bihar governor Satyapal Malik demanding an invitation from him to form the government in the state, the leader also urged all the opposition parties to come together and collectively oppose the BJP led central government.</p>

<p>Calling the BJP government a "dictatorship" he compared the party with Britishers.</p>

<p>He said, " All the opposition parties need to come together and raise voice against what is being done by BJP across India. We need to oppose their dictatorship. If something is not done now, then soon there will be no Constitution. The Britishers came to India and treated us like slaves. Now BJP is doing the same".</p>

<p>"The BJP leaders will not follow any of the Consitution rules as they feel Prime Minister Narendra Modi is bigger than Constitution."If the Consitution is same for all, then why Karnataka is different from what happened in Bihar?" he asked.</p>

<p>The former deputy chief minister of Bihar was addressing ' Samvidhan Bachao Andolan' rally in Patna on Friday.</p>

<p>The opposition's move has come after the BJP staked claim of the Karnataka state despite not having the&nbspmajority mark required to form the government.</p>


He said, 'All the opposition parties need to come together and raise voice against what is being done by BJP across India. We need to oppose their dictatorship'

After RJD leader&nbspTejashwi Yadav met with the Bihar governor Satyapal Malik demanding an invitation from him to form the government in the state, the leader also urged all the opposition parties to come together and collectively oppose the BJP led central government. Calling the BJP government a "dictatorship" he compared the party with Britishers. He said, " All the opposition parties need to come together and raise voice against what is being done by BJP across India. We need to oppose their dictatorship. If something is not done now, then soon there will be no Constitution. The Britishers came to India and treated us like slaves. Now BJP is doing the same". "The BJP leaders will not follow any of the Consitution rules as they feel Prime Minister Narendra Modi is bigger than Constitution."If the Consitution is same for all, then why Karnataka is different from what happened in Bihar?" he asked. The former deputy chief minister of Bihar was addressing ' Samvidhan Bachao Andolan' rally in Patna on Friday. The opposition's move has come after the BJP staked claim of the Karnataka state despite not having the&nbspmajority mark required to form the government.

Tejashwi Yadav urges opposition to join together against BJP

<p>To avoid any attempt of horse trading by the Bhartiya Janata Party the Congress and JD(S) shifted their MLAs from Bengaluru to Hyderabad, JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, "We have to take some caution. To stop horse-trading, they(MLAs) are moving together. All MLAs (JD(S) and Congress) are travelling on the bus, they are going to stay in the same place".</p>

<p data-aria-label-part="0" lang="en">The Congress MLAs&nbsp;have been shifted to Hyderabad's Taj Krishna Hotel.</p>

<p>According to a media report, the MLAs of the two parties were shifted to Hyderabad by bus as the HAL airport in Bengaluru denied them permission to fly to Hyderabad, the media stated.</p>

<p>Earlier JD(S) MLA Shivarame Gowda had said that some of the Congress and JD(S) MLAs were going to Kochi while others to Hyderabad.</p>

<p>The two parties decided to shift their MLAs from Bengaluru after the removal of the police force from outside their resort.</p>

<p>The Congress MLAs stayed at Eagleton Resort while the JD(S) MLAs at&nbsp;Shangri-La Hotel in Bengaluru.</p>

<p>The security deployed outside the Eagleton Resort was withdrawn on Thursday. Following this, the Congress leader accused the BJP members of entering the resort and offering money to their MLAs.</p>

<p>Congress leader claimed that after the police were withdrawn from outside the resort, the BJP entered the hotel and offered money to their MLAs.</p>

<p>Apparently, the Congress and JD(S) have put their MLAs in the resort&nbsp;to keep them out of the reach of BJP.</p>

<p>The BJP, which has formed the government in Karnataka, needs to prove its majority within 15 days. The party needs the support of 7 more MLAs in order to reach the majority mark and&nbsp;continue with its governance in Karnataka.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the elections held on May 12, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members. The Congress secured 78 seats, the JD(S) 37 and others three.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CORRECTION?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CORRECTION</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VISUALS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VISUALS</a>: Bus carrying Congress MLAs seen leaving Eagleton Resort in Bengaluru where the MLAs were staying. Congress' Ramalinga Reddy claimed that after the police was withdrawn from outside the resort,BJP came inside & offered money to the MLAs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/QsknkWvTMM">pic.twitter.com/QsknkWvTMM</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/997175647444156417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Congress MLAs changing buses on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hyderabad?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hyderabad</a> Highway. The MLAs along with JD(S) MLAs will be staying in Hyderabad <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/eUk3dFd4yq">pic.twitter.com/eUk3dFd4yq</a></p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Karnataka Congress MLAs arrive at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hyderabad?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hyderabad</a>'s Taj Krishna Hotel, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) head Uttam Kumar Reddy also present. <a href="https://t.co/BTSwh4qtmU">pic.twitter.com/BTSwh4qtmU</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/997341536542015489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p data-aria-label-part="0" lang="en">&nbsp;</p>

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JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy said, 'We have to take some caution. To stop horse-trading, they(MLAs) are moving together. All MLAs (JD(S) and Congress) are travelling on the bus, they are going to stay in the same place'

To avoid any attempt of horse trading by the Bhartiya Janata Party the Congress and JD(S) shifted their MLAs from Bengaluru to Hyderabad, JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy said. He said, "We have to take some caution. To stop horse-trading, they(MLAs) are moving together. All MLAs (JD(S) and Congress) are travelling on the bus, they are going to stay in the same place". The Congress MLAs have been shifted to Hyderabad's Taj Krishna Hotel. According to a media report, the MLAs of the two parties were shifted to Hyderabad by bus as the HAL airport in Bengaluru denied them permission to fly to Hyderabad, the media stated. Earlier JD(S) MLA Shivarame Gowda had said that some of the Congress and JD(S) MLAs were going to Kochi while others to Hyderabad. The two parties decided to shift their MLAs from Bengaluru after the removal of the police force from outside their resort. The Congress MLAs stayed at Eagleton Resort while the JD(S) MLAs at Shangri-La Hotel in Bengaluru. The security deployed outside the Eagleton Resort was withdrawn on Thursday. Following this, the Congress leader accused the BJP members of entering the resort and offering money to their MLAs. Congress leader claimed that after the police were withdrawn from outside the resort, the BJP entered the hotel and offered money to their MLAs. Apparently, the Congress and JD(S) have put their MLAs in the resort to keep them out of the reach of BJP. The BJP, which has formed the government in Karnataka, needs to prove its majority within 15 days. The party needs the support of 7 more MLAs in order to reach the majority mark and continue with its governance in Karnataka. In the elections held on May 12, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members. The Congress secured 78 seats, the JD(S) 37 and others three. #CORRECTION in #VISUALS: Bus carrying Congress MLAs seen leaving Eagleton Resort in Bengaluru where the MLAs were staying. Congress' Ramalinga Reddy claimed that after the police was withdrawn from outside the resort,BJP came inside & offered money to the MLAs #KarnatakaElections pic.twitter.com/QsknkWvTMM — ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2018 × #WATCH Congress MLAs changing buses on #Hyderabad Highway. The MLAs along with JD(S) MLAs will be staying in Hyderabad #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/eUk3dFd4yq — ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2018 × Karnataka Congress MLAs arrive at #Hyderabad's Taj Krishna Hotel, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) head Uttam Kumar Reddy also present. pic.twitter.com/BTSwh4qtmU — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2018 ×

Karnataka: Congress, JD(S) shift MLAs from Bengaluru 'to avoid horse trading'

<p>Supreme Court has agreed to hear Congress plea on the appointment of BJP MLA KG Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker tomorrow at 10:30 am, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress-JDS filed a writ petition challenging the appointment of Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker in the Supreme Court on Friday evening.</p>

<p>According to reports, the petition stated that Bopaiah's appointment is a blatant move to manipulate voting during trust motion.</p>

<p>However, Supreme Court rejected another Congress plea to video record the voting in trust motion.</p>

<p>The court also rejected Attorney General K K Venugopal plea to the bench to consider a secret ballot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier Randeep Surjewala accused Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala of launching yet another encounter on the Constitution by appointing KG Bopaiah as pro tem Speaker instead of the senior most MLA.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Supreme Court to hear Congress's plea regarding the appointment of pro tem speaker of BJP MLA tomorrow at 10:30am. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/ctAoL0ic9R">pic.twitter.com/ctAoL0ic9R</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/997515061013835776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Congress-JDS filed a writ petition challenging the appointment of Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker in the Supreme Court on Friday evening.

Supreme Court has agreed to hear Congress plea on the appointment of BJP MLA KG Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker tomorrow at 10:30 am, news agency ANI reported. Congress-JDS filed a writ petition challenging the appointment of Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker in the Supreme Court on Friday evening. According to reports, the petition stated that Bopaiah's appointment is a blatant move to manipulate voting during trust motion. However, Supreme Court rejected another Congress plea to video record the voting in trust motion. The court also rejected Attorney General K K Venugopal plea to the bench to consider a secret ballot. Earlier Randeep Surjewala accused Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala of launching yet another encounter on the Constitution by appointing KG Bopaiah as pro tem Speaker instead of the senior most MLA. Supreme Court to hear Congress's plea regarding the appointment of pro tem speaker of BJP MLA tomorrow at 10:30am. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/ctAoL0ic9R — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2018 ×

Supreme Court to hear Congress plea on pro-tem Speaker on Saturday morning

<p>Congress-JDS filed a writ petition challenging the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-congress-jds-shift-mlas-from-bengaluru-to-avoid-horse-trading-137827"> appointment of KG Bopaiah as pro-tem </a>Speaker in the Supreme Court on Friday.</p>

<p>The petition said Bopaiah's appointment is a blatant move to manipulate voting on trust motion.</p>

<p>Congress-JDS also seeking video recording of voting in trust motion, another plea which was not accepted by SC in the morning today.</p>

<p>Since a judge is out of town, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra will&nbsp;have to constitute another bench.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lawyers representing Congress side reach the Registrar Office of Supreme Court, seeking an urgent hearing on the appointment of KG Bopaiah as pro-tem speaker of Karnataka assembly. <a href="https://t.co/YR55gYQqnD">pic.twitter.com/YR55gYQqnD</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/997491132572557312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier speaking to media persons, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Friday said that the option of going to the court was open.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">MLAs are with us. Whatever misuse they had to do they have done. Supreme Court has also given them a good scolding not verbally but in terms of action, it is a different matter that the people of BJP have a thick skin: Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/kO3lDEqsbF">pic.twitter.com/kO3lDEqsbF</a></p>
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<p>''We will be able to inform you in a short while. Yes, the option of going back to Court is open,'' Surjewala said responding to a query on if Congress will challenge BJP MLA KG Bopaiah's appointment as pro tem Speaker.</p>

<p>The Governor Vajubhai Vala has once again launched an encounter on the Constitution by appointing KG Bopaiah as pro tem Speaker instead of the senior most MLA, Surjewala added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Frajt0fotfs" width="560"></iframe></p>


Sources say Congress is at registry office to get the petition listed.

Congress-JDS filed a writ petition challenging the appointment of KG Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker in the Supreme Court on Friday. The petition said Bopaiah's appointment is a blatant move to manipulate voting on trust motion. Congress-JDS also seeking video recording of voting in trust motion, another plea which was not accepted by SC in the morning today. Since a judge is out of town, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra will have to constitute another bench. Lawyers representing Congress side reach the Registrar Office of Supreme Court, seeking an urgent hearing on the appointment of KG Bopaiah as pro-tem speaker of Karnataka assembly. pic.twitter.com/YR55gYQqnD — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2018 × Earlier speaking to media persons, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Friday said that the option of going to the court was open. MLAs are with us. Whatever misuse they had to do they have done. Supreme Court has also given them a good scolding not verbally but in terms of action, it is a different matter that the people of BJP have a thick skin: Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/kO3lDEqsbF — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2018 × ''We will be able to inform you in a short while. Yes, the option of going back to Court is open,'' Surjewala said responding to a query on if Congress will challenge BJP MLA KG Bopaiah's appointment as pro tem Speaker. The Governor Vajubhai Vala has once again launched an encounter on the Constitution by appointing KG Bopaiah as pro tem Speaker instead of the senior most MLA, Surjewala added.

Karnataka crisis: Congress moves SC against Bopaiah's appointment as pro-tem Speaker

<p>The ruling Trinamool Congress is headed for a massive victory in West Bengal's rural polls, bagging 20,848 seats in the three-tier polls, while the BJP emerged as its main rival, according to the results declared till 1 am.</p>

<p>State Election Commission (SEC) sources said the TMC was ahead in another 148 gram panchayat seats for which counting was in progress.</p>

<p>The BJP has won 5,636 seats and is leading in 21 seats, they said.</p>

<p>According to a senior state BJP leader, it was the first time in last 10 years that the party had been elected to the gram panchayat level in every district of the state.</p>

<p>The CPI(M) slipped to the third position from the second place it had occupied in the last panchayat polls in 2013. It won 1,461 gram panchayat seats and was ahead in another 10, the sources said.</p>

<p>The Congress is at the fourth position by winning 1,033 seats and leading in 10 - a score lower than that of even Independents, who won 1,794 gram panchayat seats and were leading in 18 seats.</p>

<p>A jubilant TMC said the result would boost the party ahead of next year's Lok Sabha election as the rural poll was the last major electoral event in the state before it.</p>

<p>The BJP said the result in the panchayat polls, which saw its emergence as the main challenger to the ruling TMC in Bengal, would act as a morale booster for the party's rank and file.</p>

<p>The TMC outraced others in panchayat Samiti seats too by winning 4,358 of them so far and leading in another 142. The BJP won 631 seats and was leading in 22.</p>

<p>The CPI(M) won 92 seats and was leading in three, while the Congress won 106 seats and was leading in five, the SEC sources said.</p>

<p>The Independents have won 94 panchayat Samiti seats, they said.</p>

<p>The TMC continued to maintain its dominance in Zilla Parishad, where it won 318 seats, with a complete sweep in Burdwan West district, and was leading in 130 seats across the state.</p>

<p>The BJP and the CPI(M) were leading in 10 and two seats each.</p>

<p>In Purulia, the TMC and BJP had a close fight in the gram panchayats, winning 836 and 644 seats, respectively. The Congress and the CPI(M) bagged 154 and 150 seats, respectively, the sources said.</p>

<p>In Jhargram too, the TMC and the BJP were engaged in a close battle for the gram panchayat seats, winning 372 and 329 seats respectively. The CPI(M) trailed far behind with 13 seats and the Congress was yet to open its account.</p>

<p>In the traditional Congress stronghold of Malda, the TMC won 973 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 502, the Congress 359 and CPI(M) 101 seats.</p>

<p>The TMC bagged 918 seats, followed by the Congress with 359 seats in Murshidabad. The CPI(M) and the BJP bagged 111 and 54 seats, respectively in the district, the SEC said.</p>

<p>In Nadia, another border district like Murshidabad and Malda, the TMC won 1,612 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 637, the CPI(M) 177 and the Congress 60 seats.</p>

<p>In East Midnapore, the TMC won 2,033 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 188, the CPI(M) 135 and the Congress 15 seats</p>

<p>In Jalpaiguri, the TMC won 806 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 308, the CPI(M) 51 and the Congress 20 seats</p>

<p>In South 24 Parganas, the TMC bagged 2,105 gram panchayat seats, followed by BJP with 404, CPI(M) with 161 and the Congress with 34.</p>

<p>TMC leader Arabul Islam, who was arrested on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's directive last week after the murder of an Independent candidate at Bhangar of South 24-Parganas and is presently in jail, has won the panchayat samiti seat from the area.</p>

<p>Some incidents of violence were reported from some of the counting centers of the state where miscreants allegedly ran away with ballot boxes.</p>

<p>"We have taken appropriate action in all the cases," said a SEC official.</p>

<p>The panchayat poll was held in 621 Zila Parishad, 6,123 panchayat Samiti and 31,802 gram panchayat seats in 20 West Bengal districts on May 14.</p>

<p>Of the total 48,650 seats in gram panchayats, 16,814 went uncontested. There was also no contest for 3,059 of the 9,217 panchayat Samiti seats and in 203 of the 825 Zila Parishad seats.</p>

<p>"Despite so much violence, we have won more than 5,000 seats in GP (gram panchayat). Had the elections been free and fair, we would have won 50 per cent seats at all the three levels of the panchayat," state BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu said.</p>

<p>Widespread violence during the polls claimed at least 12 lives and left 43 injured. The CPI(M) and the Congress dubbed the election a "farce".</p>

<p>The TMC, on the other hand, said the people of Bengal had voted in favour of development ushered in by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.</p>

<p>"People have voted in favour of development and have defeated the forces who were spreading canards against our state," TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said.&nbsp</p>

<p>The counting of votes which began at 8 am on May 17 was still on till reports last came in.&nbsp</p>


The ruling Trinamool Congress is headed for a massive victory in West Bengal's rural polls, bagging 20,848 seats in the three-tier polls, while the BJP emerged as its main rival, according to the results declared till 1 am

The ruling Trinamool Congress is headed for a massive victory in West Bengal's rural polls, bagging 20,848 seats in the three-tier polls, while the BJP emerged as its main rival, according to the results declared till 1 am. State Election Commission (SEC) sources said the TMC was ahead in another 148 gram panchayat seats for which counting was in progress. The BJP has won 5,636 seats and is leading in 21 seats, they said. According to a senior state BJP leader, it was the first time in last 10 years that the party had been elected to the gram panchayat level in every district of the state. The CPI(M) slipped to the third position from the second place it had occupied in the last panchayat polls in 2013. It won 1,461 gram panchayat seats and was ahead in another 10, the sources said. The Congress is at the fourth position by winning 1,033 seats and leading in 10 - a score lower than that of even Independents, who won 1,794 gram panchayat seats and were leading in 18 seats. A jubilant TMC said the result would boost the party ahead of next year's Lok Sabha election as the rural poll was the last major electoral event in the state before it. The BJP said the result in the panchayat polls, which saw its emergence as the main challenger to the ruling TMC in Bengal, would act as a morale booster for the party's rank and file. The TMC outraced others in panchayat Samiti seats too by winning 4,358 of them so far and leading in another 142. The BJP won 631 seats and was leading in 22. The CPI(M) won 92 seats and was leading in three, while the Congress won 106 seats and was leading in five, the SEC sources said. The Independents have won 94 panchayat Samiti seats, they said. The TMC continued to maintain its dominance in Zilla Parishad, where it won 318 seats, with a complete sweep in Burdwan West district, and was leading in 130 seats across the state. The BJP and the CPI(M) were leading in 10 and two seats each. In Purulia, the TMC and BJP had a close fight in the gram panchayats, winning 836 and 644 seats, respectively. The Congress and the CPI(M) bagged 154 and 150 seats, respectively, the sources said. In Jhargram too, the TMC and the BJP were engaged in a close battle for the gram panchayat seats, winning 372 and 329 seats respectively. The CPI(M) trailed far behind with 13 seats and the Congress was yet to open its account. In the traditional Congress stronghold of Malda, the TMC won 973 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 502, the Congress 359 and CPI(M) 101 seats. The TMC bagged 918 seats, followed by the Congress with 359 seats in Murshidabad. The CPI(M) and the BJP bagged 111 and 54 seats, respectively in the district, the SEC said. In Nadia, another border district like Murshidabad and Malda, the TMC won 1,612 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 637, the CPI(M) 177 and the Congress 60 seats. In East Midnapore, the TMC won 2,033 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 188, the CPI(M) 135 and the Congress 15 seats In Jalpaiguri, the TMC won 806 gram panchayat seats, the BJP 308, the CPI(M) 51 and the Congress 20 seats In South 24 Parganas, the TMC bagged 2,105 gram panchayat seats, followed by BJP with 404, CPI(M) with 161 and the Congress with 34. TMC leader Arabul Islam, who was arrested on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's directive last week after the murder of an Independent candidate at Bhangar of South 24-Parganas and is presently in jail, has won the panchayat samiti seat from the area. Some incidents of violence were reported from some of the counting centers of the state where miscreants allegedly ran away with ballot boxes. "We have taken appropriate action in all the cases," said a SEC official. The panchayat poll was held in 621 Zila Parishad, 6,123 panchayat Samiti and 31,802 gram panchayat seats in 20 West Bengal districts on May 14. Of the total 48,650 seats in gram panchayats, 16,814 went uncontested. There was also no contest for 3,059 of the 9,217 panchayat Samiti seats and in 203 of the 825 Zila Parishad seats. "Despite so much violence, we have won more than 5,000 seats in GP (gram panchayat). Had the elections been free and fair, we would have won 50 per cent seats at all the three levels of the panchayat," state BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu said. Widespread violence during the polls claimed at least 12 lives and left 43 injured. The CPI(M) and the Congress dubbed the election a "farce". The TMC, on the other hand, said the people of Bengal had voted in favour of development ushered in by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. "People have voted in favour of development and have defeated the forces who were spreading canards against our state," TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said. The counting of votes which began at 8 am on May 17 was still on till reports last came in.

West Bengal panchayat polls: TMC races ahead, BJP main rival

<p>Karnataka`s Humnabad Congress MLA Rajshekhar Patil on Thursday said the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance was confident of forming the government in Karnataka.</p>

<p>"All the MLAs are here in Hyderabad. We will be leaving for Bengaluru. We don`t have any meeting here. Siddaramaiah has come here and we will be leaving soon. Total we have 78 MLAs, but right now we have 77 MLAs here. There is no pressure on us. We are confident that we will form the government along with JD(S)," Patil told.</p>

<p>Asked about Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) being the single largest party, Patil quipped, "They don`t have the numbers.</p>

<p>"Meanwhile, former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah arrived at the Hotel Taj Krishna here on Thursday and met with the Congress MLAs.</p>

<p>Fearing defection to BJP or being "poached", the Congress and JD(S) has shifted their MLAs to numerous hotels in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court ruled that a floor test should be conducted on Saturday at 4 pm for BJP to prove their majority in the Karnataka assembly.</p>

<p>The decision was taken after the top court heard the arguments for and against the petition filed by the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) following Governor Vajubhai R. Vala`s invitation to the BJP to form the government in the state.</p>

<p>The BJP has 104 MLAs but they are still short of the simple majority mark of 113 by nine MLAs and have been given 24 hours to prove the same in the assembly by the apex court.</p>

<p>However, if two `missing` Congress MLAs do not get to vote tomorrow, the halfway mark will fall to 111.</p>

<p>On the other hand, Congress (78 seats) and JD-S (37 seats), along with two independent candidates have formed a post-poll alliance and are staking claim to form the government in Karnataka, with a total of 115 MLAs.</p>


Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah arrived at the Hotel Taj Krishna here on Thursday and met with the Congress MLAs.

Karnataka`s Humnabad Congress MLA Rajshekhar Patil on Thursday said the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance was confident of forming the government in Karnataka. "All the MLAs are here in Hyderabad. We will be leaving for Bengaluru. We don`t have any meeting here. Siddaramaiah has come here and we will be leaving soon. Total we have 78 MLAs, but right now we have 77 MLAs here. There is no pressure on us. We are confident that we will form the government along with JD(S)," Patil told. Asked about Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) being the single largest party, Patil quipped, "They don`t have the numbers. "Meanwhile, former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah arrived at the Hotel Taj Krishna here on Thursday and met with the Congress MLAs. Fearing defection to BJP or being "poached", the Congress and JD(S) has shifted their MLAs to numerous hotels in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court ruled that a floor test should be conducted on Saturday at 4 pm for BJP to prove their majority in the Karnataka assembly. The decision was taken after the top court heard the arguments for and against the petition filed by the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) following Governor Vajubhai R. Vala`s invitation to the BJP to form the government in the state. The BJP has 104 MLAs but they are still short of the simple majority mark of 113 by nine MLAs and have been given 24 hours to prove the same in the assembly by the apex court. However, if two `missing` Congress MLAs do not get to vote tomorrow, the halfway mark will fall to 111. On the other hand, Congress (78 seats) and JD-S (37 seats), along with two independent candidates have formed a post-poll alliance and are staking claim to form the government in Karnataka, with a total of 115 MLAs.

Confident of forming government in Karnataka: Congress MLA

<p>A group of Congress workers today assembled outside the home of Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala here and shouted slogans against him following which 30 of them were detained, the police said.</p>

<p>They were protesting against Vala's decision to invite the BJP to form the government in Karnataka despite the saffron party's numbers being less than the combined tally of the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) in the state Assembly.</p>

<p>Congress city unit chief Mahesh Rajput, who led the protest outside Vala's Nutan Nagar society residence near Kalavad Road here, called the Karnataka governor's act a "blot on democracy"</p>

<p>"Despite being the governor of a state, Vala has acted like a BJP worker," Rajput alleged.</p>

<p>Deputy Commissioner of Police Harshad Mehta said, "We have detained 30 Congress workers from outside the residence of the Karnataka governor. No member of Vala's family was at home when the protest and sloganeering took place."</p>

<p>Protests by the Congress against Vala's decision were also held at Ahmedabad and Vadodara.&nbsp;</p>


Congress city unit chief Mahesh Rajput, who led the protest outside Vala's Nutan Nagar society residence near Kalavad Road here, called the Karnataka governor's act a "blot on democracy"

A group of Congress workers today assembled outside the home of Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala here and shouted slogans against him following which 30 of them were detained, the police said. They were protesting against Vala's decision to invite the BJP to form the government in Karnataka despite the saffron party's numbers being less than the combined tally of the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) in the state Assembly. Congress city unit chief Mahesh Rajput, who led the protest outside Vala's Nutan Nagar society residence near Kalavad Road here, called the Karnataka governor's act a "blot on democracy" "Despite being the governor of a state, Vala has acted like a BJP worker," Rajput alleged. Deputy Commissioner of Police Harshad Mehta said, "We have detained 30 Congress workers from outside the residence of the Karnataka governor. No member of Vala's family was at home when the protest and sloganeering took place." Protests by the Congress against Vala's decision were also held at Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

Congress workers protest outside Karnataka Governor's Rajkot residence, 30 detained

<p>Ahead of Saturday's&nbsp;floor test, Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala&nbsp;appointed BJP MLA KG Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Supreme Court on Friday had asked the Yeddyurappa-led BJP government to conduct a floor test to prove its majority in the Karnataka assembly.</p>

<p>The apex court issued the order following a petition challenging Karnataka Governor's invitation to BS Yeddyurappa to take oath as chief minister.</p>

<p>Procedurally, the Governor elects the senior most member as the pro-tem Speaker.</p>

<p>Reacting to the appointment of pro-tem Speaker, Congress leader&nbsp;Abhishek Manu Singhvi said according to rule book senior most leader is supposed to hold the position.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>''What the BJP has done is against the rulebook. Ideally,&nbsp;the senior most leader is supposed to hold that position,'' Singhvi said on BJP MLA KG Bopaiah being appointed as pro-tem Speaker.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, BJP's Prakash Javadekar said Congress is raising hoax objection and added the appointment of Bopaiah is as per rules and regulations. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shri KG Bopaiah was appointed as Pro Tem speaker even in 2008 by the then Governor. That time Bopaiah was 10 years younger than what he is today. The Congress is thus raising hoax objection. The appointment of Bopaiah Ji is as per rules and regulations. <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4India</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Karnataka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4Karnataka</a></p>
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrakashJavdekar/status/997427083306524672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>''KG Bopaiah was appointed as Pro Tem speaker even in 2008 by the then Governor. That time Bopaiah was 10 years younger than what he is today. Congress is thus raising hoax objection. The appointment of Bopaiah Ji is as per rules and regulations,'' Javadekar added. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What the BJP has done is against the rule book. Ideally the senior most leader is supposed to hold that position: Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Congress on BJP MLA KG Bopaiah being appointed as pro-tem speaker. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/1qdqZDSqbl">pic.twitter.com/1qdqZDSqbl</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/997424831644614656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to reports, Congress leader RV Deshpande is the senior most member in the House and has won elections eight out of the nine times that he has contested the elections since 1983.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The second most senior member in the House is BJP’s Umesh Vishwanath Katti – who has won seven out of eight elections since 1985.</p>


The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Yeddyurappa-led BJP government to conduct a floor test on Saturday to prove their majority in the Karnataka assembly.

Ahead of Saturday's floor test, Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala appointed BJP MLA KG Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker, news agency ANI reported. The Supreme Court on Friday had asked the Yeddyurappa-led BJP government to conduct a floor test to prove its majority in the Karnataka assembly. The apex court issued the order following a petition challenging Karnataka Governor's invitation to BS Yeddyurappa to take oath as chief minister. Procedurally, the Governor elects the senior most member as the pro-tem Speaker. Reacting to the appointment of pro-tem Speaker, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said according to rule book senior most leader is supposed to hold the position. ''What the BJP has done is against the rulebook. Ideally, the senior most leader is supposed to hold that position,'' Singhvi said on BJP MLA KG Bopaiah being appointed as pro-tem Speaker. Meanwhile, BJP's Prakash Javadekar said Congress is raising hoax objection and added the appointment of Bopaiah is as per rules and regulations. Shri KG Bopaiah was appointed as Pro Tem speaker even in 2008 by the then Governor. That time Bopaiah was 10 years younger than what he is today. The Congress is thus raising hoax objection. The appointment of Bopaiah Ji is as per rules and regulations. @BJP4India @BJP4Karnataka — Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) May 18, 2018 × ''KG Bopaiah was appointed as Pro Tem speaker even in 2008 by the then Governor. That time Bopaiah was 10 years younger than what he is today. Congress is thus raising hoax objection. The appointment of Bopaiah Ji is as per rules and regulations,'' Javadekar added. What the BJP has done is against the rule book. Ideally the senior most leader is supposed to hold that position: Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Congress on BJP MLA KG Bopaiah being appointed as pro-tem speaker. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/1qdqZDSqbl — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2018 × According to reports, Congress leader RV Deshpande is the senior most member in the House and has won elections eight out of the nine times that he has contested the elections since 1983. The second most senior member in the House is BJP’s Umesh Vishwanath Katti – who has won seven out of eight elections since 1985.

Karnataka Governor appoints BJP MLA Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker, Congress cries foul

<p>Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and other alliance leaders met with the Bihar Governor Satyapal Malik today&nbspto prove their majority in&nbspthe state assembly.&nbsp</p>

<p>The parties handed over letters to the governor showing RJD as the single largest party in the assembly.&nbsp</p>

<p>The meeting was organised&nbspto demand&nbspan invitation from the governor for forming the&nbspgovernment in the state.&nbsp</p>

<p>The parties which joined the RJD in the meeting included Congress and CPI (ML).</p>

<p>RJD's Tejashwi Yadav had said yesterday that their party will hold a one-day protest against the ''murder of democracy''. He also said he will request Bihar Governor to dissolve the state government and like Karnataka invite the single largest party which in Bihar is RJD. &nbsp</p>

<p>A similar meeting was organised by the Congress MLAs in Goa where they met the Goa governor and handed over a memorandum to her stating their majority.</p>

<p>The opposition's move has come after the BJP staked claim of the Karnataka state after emerging as the single largest party,&nbspless than the majority mark.&nbsp</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">RJD and other alliance parties-Congress and CPI(ML) hand over letters to Governor Satyapal Malik stating that RJD is the single largest party hence should be invited to form Government <a href="https://t.co/NdTSuvBsB0">pic.twitter.com/NdTSuvBsB0</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/997390915999322112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Patna: Tejashwi Yadav and other alliance leaders met Bihar Governor Satyapal Malik, hand over letters stating that RJD is the single largest party and hence should be invited to form Government <a href="https://t.co/K24yHxu3nH">pic.twitter.com/K24yHxu3nH</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/997393517667172352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp</p>


The meeting was organised to demand an invitation from the governor for forming the government in the state

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and other alliance leaders met with the Bihar Governor Satyapal Malik today&nbspto prove their majority in&nbspthe state assembly. The parties handed over letters to the governor showing RJD as the single largest party in the assembly. The meeting was organised&nbspto demand&nbspan invitation from the governor for forming the&nbspgovernment in the state. The parties which joined the RJD in the meeting included Congress and CPI (ML). RJD's Tejashwi Yadav had said yesterday that their party will hold a one-day protest against the ''murder of democracy''. He also said he will request Bihar Governor to dissolve the state government and like Karnataka invite the single largest party which in Bihar is RJD. A similar meeting was organised by the Congress MLAs in Goa where they met the Goa governor and handed over a memorandum to her stating their majority. The opposition's move has come after the BJP staked claim of the Karnataka state after emerging as the single largest party,&nbspless than the majority mark. RJD and other alliance parties-Congress and CPI(ML) hand over letters to Governor Satyapal Malik stating that RJD is the single largest party hence should be invited to form Government pic.twitter.com/NdTSuvBsB0 — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2018 × Patna: Tejashwi Yadav and other alliance leaders met Bihar Governor Satyapal Malik, hand over letters stating that RJD is the single largest party and hence should be invited to form Government pic.twitter.com/K24yHxu3nH — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2018 ×

RJD, alliance parties meet Bihar governor, submit letter proving majority

<p>Targetting the Bhartiya Janata Party over forming a government in Karnataka after winning the highest number of seats in the state, the Congress has now decided to stake a claim&nbsp;in Goa.</p>

<p>13 Congress MLAs of the Congress party met with the Goa governor Mridula Sinha at Raj Bhavan today demanding an invitation from the governor for forming a government in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The MLAs handed over a memorandum to the governor saying Congress is the largest party in the state.</p>

<p>The Congress holds that as the BJP was invited to&nbsp;form the&nbsp;government&nbsp;in Karnataka&nbsp;by virtue of&nbsp;its majority seats, the Goa governor should invite them to form the government as they had won the majority&nbsp;of seats in the state during the legislative elections in 2017.</p>

<p>Congress spokesperson Yatish Naika had said yesterday,&nbsp;''In 2017, we won 17 seats and were the single largest party and continue to be but Governor chose to invite the BJP which had 13 seats. In Karnataka, Governor invited BJP as they are the single largest party. So, we appeal to Governor to invite us to form govt".</p>

<p>Congress spokesperson had also said that they were ready to prove their majority in the state.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Appointment with Goa Governor at noon. We are going to tell her that since her counterpart in Karnataka has called the single largest party, she should also call us now. We are single largest party, will prove majority on the floor of the House: Yatish Naik, Goa Congress spox <a href="https://t.co/YNeihTYQE2">pic.twitter.com/YNeihTYQE2</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/997347178577367042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>In February 2017 assembly poll, Congress had emerged as the single-largest party but had failed to form the government after the BJP, with 13 MLAs, swiftly bagged support of Goa Forward Party (GFP), Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and two Independents, to reach the magic figure of 21 in the 40-member house.</p>

<p>Following this, Manohar Parrikar, who was then serving as the defence minister was rushed back to Goa to return as the Chief Minister.</p>

<p>Goa Congress said that the state is without a leader for two months and added that state administration is in chaos. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Goa: 13 Congress MLAs reach Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Mridula Sinha <a href="https://t.co/UDPhn69vM0">pic.twitter.com/UDPhn69vM0</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/997363620617977856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Goa: 13 Congress MLAs at Raj Bhavan, hand over memorandum to Governor Mridula Sinha saying Congress is the single largest party in the state <a href="https://t.co/WCJ2DilCFN">pic.twitter.com/WCJ2DilCFN</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/997385229286494208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The Congress holds that as the BJP was invited to form the government in Karnataka by virtue of its majority seats, the Goa governor should invite them to form the government as they had won the majority of seats in the state during the legislative elections in 2017

Targetting the Bhartiya Janata Party over forming a government in Karnataka after winning the highest number of seats in the state, the Congress has now decided to stake a claim in Goa. 13 Congress MLAs of the Congress party met with the Goa governor Mridula Sinha at Raj Bhavan today demanding an invitation from the governor for forming a government in the state. The MLAs handed over a memorandum to the governor saying Congress is the largest party in the state. The Congress holds that as the BJP was invited to form the government in Karnataka by virtue of its majority seats, the Goa governor should invite them to form the government as they had won the majority of seats in the state during the legislative elections in 2017. Congress spokesperson Yatish Naika had said yesterday, ''In 2017, we won 17 seats and were the single largest party and continue to be but Governor chose to invite the BJP which had 13 seats. In Karnataka, Governor invited BJP as they are the single largest party. So, we appeal to Governor to invite us to form govt". Congress spokesperson had also said that they were ready to prove their majority in the state. Appointment with Goa Governor at noon. We are going to tell her that since her counterpart in Karnataka has called the single largest party, she should also call us now. We are single largest party, will prove majority on the floor of the House: Yatish Naik, Goa Congress spox pic.twitter.com/YNeihTYQE2 — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2018 × In February 2017 assembly poll, Congress had emerged as the single-largest party but had failed to form the government after the BJP, with 13 MLAs, swiftly bagged support of Goa Forward Party (GFP), Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and two Independents, to reach the magic figure of 21 in the 40-member house. Following this, Manohar Parrikar, who was then serving as the defence minister was rushed back to Goa to return as the Chief Minister. Goa Congress said that the state is without a leader for two months and added that state administration is in chaos. Goa: 13 Congress MLAs reach Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Mridula Sinha pic.twitter.com/UDPhn69vM0 — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2018 × Goa: 13 Congress MLAs at Raj Bhavan, hand over memorandum to Governor Mridula Sinha saying Congress is the single largest party in the state pic.twitter.com/WCJ2DilCFN — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2018 ×

Congress stakes claim over Goa, submits memorandum to governor

<p>The battle between the Bhartiya Janata Party and Congress-JD(S) alliance over the formation of government in Karnataka witnessed another historic move today after the Supreme court intervened and asked Yeddyurappa led BJP government to prove their majority in the state by tomorrow.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Senior lawyer and BJP's counsel Mukul Rohatgi has opposed the apex courts decision for conducting&nbsp;the floor test tomorrow saying that the BJP "needs time".</p>

<p>Rohatgi asked the Supreme Court to fix floor test on Monday claiming that Congress and JD(S) MLAs were locked outside the state. He said, "they also have to come to vote. So give more time".</p>

<p>In his letter to the Supreme Court, Rohatgi had claimed&nbsp;that Yeddyurappa&nbsp;government had the&nbsp;required number of&nbsp;MLAs and was ready to prove its majority in the assembly.</p>

<p>He said," Yeddyurappa has been elected as leader of the largest party, BJP and he has the support of other necessary numbers of MLAs". &nbsp;</p>

<p>He also said&nbsp;that the Congress did not have written support of many MLAs.</p>

<p>He said, 'We have certain information that many MLAs from other parties have not given any kind of written support to Congress-JD(S).'</p>

<p>Earlier, talking to a press he had said, "We'll show CM's letter to Court, it shows he has support and support will be shown in the house. There is no issue of horse-trading, it is the other way, as MLAs have been taken to resorts".</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Rohatgi asked the Supreme Court to fix floor test on Monday claiming that Congress and JD(S) MLAs were locked outside the state. He said, 'they also have to come to vote. So give more time'

The battle between the Bhartiya Janata Party and Congress-JD(S) alliance over the formation of government in Karnataka witnessed another historic move today after the Supreme court intervened and asked Yeddyurappa led BJP government to prove their majority in the state by tomorrow. Senior lawyer and BJP's counsel Mukul Rohatgi has opposed the apex courts decision for conducting the floor test tomorrow saying that the BJP "needs time". Rohatgi asked the Supreme Court to fix floor test on Monday claiming that Congress and JD(S) MLAs were locked outside the state. He said, "they also have to come to vote. So give more time". In his letter to the Supreme Court, Rohatgi had claimed that Yeddyurappa government had the required number of MLAs and was ready to prove its majority in the assembly. He said," Yeddyurappa has been elected as leader of the largest party, BJP and he has the support of other necessary numbers of MLAs". He also said that the Congress did not have written support of many MLAs. He said, 'We have certain information that many MLAs from other parties have not given any kind of written support to Congress-JD(S).' Earlier, talking to a press he had said, "We'll show CM's letter to Court, it shows he has support and support will be shown in the house. There is no issue of horse-trading, it is the other way, as MLAs have been taken to resorts".

BJP has required number of MLAs, but 'need time': Mukul Rohatgi to Supreme Court

<p>The BJP today alleged that the Congress has forged the signatures of many of its legislators while submitting the party's list of MLAs to the Governor claiming it had the numbers to form the government.</p>

<p>Addressing reporters here, Union Human Resources Minister Prakash Javadekar said one was at a loss to understand how Congress could collect the signatures of all the MLAs even before they arrived in Bengaluru and attended the Congress Legislature Party meeting.</p>

<p>He said forging signatures and other documents were not something new to the Congress.</p>

<p>When the polls in Manipur threw up a hung Assembly, Congress submitted a forged letter of support of the Manipur People's Party. However, it was found that the grand old party had forged it, he said.</p>

<p>In Karnataka also, the Congress had resorted to their age-old practice, Javadekar said, adding the party has become synonymous with the word forgery.</p>

<p>Defending Governor Vajubhai Vala's action in inviting BJP to form the government, Javadekar said he had only followed the rulebook as there was no pre-poll alliance in Karnataka and Congress and JDS were bitter foes before the poll, where the parties' leaders called each other names.</p>

<p>"During his election campaign in Karnataka, Congress President Rahul Gandhi had termed JDS as the 'B' team of BJP. He had said that JD(S) means nothing but Janata Dal Sangh Parivar. Now they are trying to cobble together an alliance, which is nothing but a sheer opportunistic move," he said.</p>

<p>TheGovernor did the right thing by inviting the single largest party tt&nbspform the government and prove the majority on the floor of theHouse, he added.</p>

<p>Javadekar said it was sad that Congress has held its MLAs captive in 'isolated resorts', severing contacts with their families and not even being allowed to watch newschannels.</p>

<p>Referring to Congress President Rahul Gandhi's remark at Raipur today that the judiciary had been suppressed, Javadekar reminded him of the dark days ofthe Emergency in 1975.</p>

<p>"The grand old party had not only overturned the judicial system but also suppressed the freedom of the press. Instead of seeking pardon for their sins, the Congress leader is tryingto create a false perception," he said.</p>

<p>Against the backdrop of the developments in Karnataka, Gandhi asserted at an event in Raipur that the Constitution is under 'severe attack', even as he said the judiciary and the press were under "fear" that usually happens in Pakistan under "dictatorship" and some African countries ruled by Generals.</p>

<p>He alleged there was an atmosphere of fear in the country with even institutions such as the judiciary and the press being suppressed and threatened.</p>


When the polls in Manipur threw up a hung Assembly, Congress submitted a forged letter of support of the Manipur People's Party. However, it was found that the grand old party had forged it, he said.

The BJP today alleged that the Congress has forged the signatures of many of its legislators while submitting the party's list of MLAs to the Governor claiming it had the numbers to form the government. Addressing reporters here, Union Human Resources Minister Prakash Javadekar said one was at a loss to understand how Congress could collect the signatures of all the MLAs even before they arrived in Bengaluru and attended the Congress Legislature Party meeting. He said forging signatures and other documents were not something new to the Congress. When the polls in Manipur threw up a hung Assembly, Congress submitted a forged letter of support of the Manipur People's Party. However, it was found that the grand old party had forged it, he said. In Karnataka also, the Congress had resorted to their age-old practice, Javadekar said, adding the party has become synonymous with the word forgery. Defending Governor Vajubhai Vala's action in inviting BJP to form the government, Javadekar said he had only followed the rulebook as there was no pre-poll alliance in Karnataka and Congress and JDS were bitter foes before the poll, where the parties' leaders called each other names. "During his election campaign in Karnataka, Congress President Rahul Gandhi had termed JDS as the 'B' team of BJP. He had said that JD(S) means nothing but Janata Dal Sangh Parivar. Now they are trying to cobble together an alliance, which is nothing but a sheer opportunistic move," he said. TheGovernor did the right thing by inviting the single largest party tt&nbspform the government and prove the majority on the floor of theHouse, he added. Javadekar said it was sad that Congress has held its MLAs captive in 'isolated resorts', severing contacts with their families and not even being allowed to watch newschannels. Referring to Congress President Rahul Gandhi's remark at Raipur today that the judiciary had been suppressed, Javadekar reminded him of the dark days ofthe Emergency in 1975. "The grand old party had not only overturned the judicial system but also suppressed the freedom of the press. Instead of seeking pardon for their sins, the Congress leader is tryingto create a false perception," he said. Against the backdrop of the developments in Karnataka, Gandhi asserted at an event in Raipur that the Constitution is under 'severe attack', even as he said the judiciary and the press were under "fear" that usually happens in Pakistan under "dictatorship" and some African countries ruled by Generals. He alleged there was an atmosphere of fear in the country with even institutions such as the judiciary and the press being suppressed and threatened.

'Signatures of several Congress MLAs in letter to Governor forged'

<p>Disgruntled BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday questioned the party's decision to form a government in Karnataka without the required majority and said politics of "Dhan-shakti over Jan-shakti" was neither acceptable nor desirable.</p>

<p>In a series of tweets, the Patna Sahib MP, who has been critical of his party on most issues for quite some time, also favoured giving the post-poll alliance of Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) a chance in the southern state as the two have the majority number.</p>

<p>Sir, why are we playing with fire? Votaries of democracy are making a mockery of the system. Those who do not forget to sermonize on the value of democracy are out to wreck the polity.</p>

<p>This politics of jugaad and arm-twisting or for that matter Dhanshakti over Janshakti is neither acceptable nor desirable. Sir, there is a saying you cannot fool all the people all the time to win/gain anyhow by hook or crook and a moreover the same is not advisable too, Sinha tweeted.</p>

<p>It may be termed as penny wise pound foolish politics. Hope, wish and pray that good sense, maturity and wisdom prevails. Now, the matter has gone to court and the court mercifully agreed for a mid-night drama which is great news to begin with. We hold judiciary in very high esteem. We shall wait and watch. In the present situation, one really wishes that justice prevails, he said.</p>

<p>What is right for Peter should be right for Paul too. What is right for Meghalaya, Manipur and Goa should be right for Karnataka too. God save Karnataka and democracy. Jai Hind, Sinha signed off.</p>

<p>He was pointing to the BJP having formed governments in the two north-eastern state and the coastal province with the help of post-poll alliances though it had not emerged as the single largest party in any of the legislative assemblies.</p>

<p>Sinha, the second consecutive term BJP Lok Sabha member from Patna Sahib, has fallen out with the party leadership after being ignored in 2015 Bihar polls and since than has on several occasions made barrage of attacks on senior leaders.</p>

<p>Recently he was seen with Yashwant Sinha, who announced quitting BJP in disgust.</p>

<p>Sinha popularly called "Bihari Babu" met TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in Delhi. He has been seen in company of RJD president Lalu Prasad and his family very often.</p>


Sir, why are we playing with fire? Votaries of democracy are making a mockery of the system. Those who do not forget to sermonize on the value of democracy are out to wreck the polity.

Disgruntled BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday questioned the party's decision to form a government in Karnataka without the required majority and said politics of "Dhan-shakti over Jan-shakti" was neither acceptable nor desirable. In a series of tweets, the Patna Sahib MP, who has been critical of his party on most issues for quite some time, also favoured giving the post-poll alliance of Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) a chance in the southern state as the two have the majority number. Sir, why are we playing with fire? Votaries of democracy are making a mockery of the system. Those who do not forget to sermonize on the value of democracy are out to wreck the polity. This politics of jugaad and arm-twisting or for that matter Dhanshakti over Janshakti is neither acceptable nor desirable. Sir, there is a saying you cannot fool all the people all the time to win/gain anyhow by hook or crook and a moreover the same is not advisable too, Sinha tweeted. It may be termed as penny wise pound foolish politics. Hope, wish and pray that good sense, maturity and wisdom prevails. Now, the matter has gone to court and the court mercifully agreed for a mid-night drama which is great news to begin with. We hold judiciary in very high esteem. We shall wait and watch. In the present situation, one really wishes that justice prevails, he said. What is right for Peter should be right for Paul too. What is right for Meghalaya, Manipur and Goa should be right for Karnataka too. God save Karnataka and democracy. Jai Hind, Sinha signed off. He was pointing to the BJP having formed governments in the two north-eastern state and the coastal province with the help of post-poll alliances though it had not emerged as the single largest party in any of the legislative assemblies. Sinha, the second consecutive term BJP Lok Sabha member from Patna Sahib, has fallen out with the party leadership after being ignored in 2015 Bihar polls and since than has on several occasions made barrage of attacks on senior leaders. Recently he was seen with Yashwant Sinha, who announced quitting BJP in disgust. Sinha popularly called "Bihari Babu" met TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in Delhi. He has been seen in company of RJD president Lalu Prasad and his family very often.

Politics of Dhanshakti over Janshakti not desirable, says Shatrughan Sinha

<p>The Karnataka political battle has reached the other states of the country and is slowly spreading. After Goa and Bihar, Congress leaders in Manipur and Meghalaya have now sought time from the respective Governors of the state for a meeting tomorrow. The former Chief Ministers of Manipur and Meghalaya — Okram Ibobi Singh and Mukul Sangma — have now taken appointments to meet their respective Governors, news agency ANI reported.</p>

<p>Since the BJP formed the government in Karnataka on Thursday morning after Governor Vajubhai Vala, whom Congress described as 'BJP puppet', &nbsp;invited BS Yeddyurappa to form the government, aforementioned leaders are knocking on the door of respective state governors' door.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When BJP spun the ''single largest party'' theory in order wrest power from the Congress-JD(U), which claimed to have the numbers to form the government, has come back to haunt them in a way they never anticipated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The first state to get off the block is Goa. Fifteen months after the elections Goa Congress is now planning to approach the Governor tomorrow to stake claim to form the government in the state.</p>

<p>Goa Congress leader Yatish Naik claims that in 2017 the won 17 seats and were the single largest party and continue to be but Governor chose to invite the BJP which had 13 seats. In Karnataka, Governor invited BJP as they are the single largest party. So, we appeal to Governor to invite us to form govt. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Similarly, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav today said that the party has decided to meet the Governor tomorrow at 1 pm and demand that like BJP, the single largest party in Karnataka, should be called to form the government in Bihar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The current government in Bihar be dissolved and the single largest party, RJD, be invited to form the government, ANI quoted him as saying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yadav also attacked Modi and Amit Shah. How will BJP prove majority? he asked and added Amit Shah has only one formula, horse-trading or sending agencies like CBI & ED behind MLAs of other parties. It's dictatorship by BJP. If we aren't united today then it was Bihar yesterday, Karnataka today, can be MP or Rajasthan tomorrow, he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and former Meghalaya CM Mukul Sangma have also sought time from respective Governors of the state for a meeting tomorrow, according to news agency ANI.</p>

<p>In the March 2017 assembly elections in Manipur, the BJP, with 21 seats, came second to the then ruling Congress, which bagged 28 – three short of the majority mark to form a government.</p>

<p>In spite of coming second in the electoral race, the BJP famously formed a government with support from its regional allies, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and the National People’s Party (NPP).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Congress is preparing to demand the "Karnataka model" in neighbouring Goa, where it couldn't form a government last year despite emerging as the single largest party.</p>

<p>"If in Karnataka the single largest party got a chance to form the government, then the governments in Goa, Bihar, Manipur and Meghalaya should resign and make way for the single largest party," said Randeep Surjewala of the Congress.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


When BJP spun the ''single largest party'' theory in order wrest power from the Congress-JD(U), which claimed to have the numbers to form the government, has come back to haunt them in a way they never anticipated.

The Karnataka political battle has reached the other states of the country and is slowly spreading. After Goa and Bihar, Congress leaders in Manipur and Meghalaya have now sought time from the respective Governors of the state for a meeting tomorrow. The former Chief Ministers of Manipur and Meghalaya — Okram Ibobi Singh and Mukul Sangma — have now taken appointments to meet their respective Governors, news agency ANI reported. Since the BJP formed the government in Karnataka on Thursday morning after Governor Vajubhai Vala, whom Congress described as 'BJP puppet', invited BS Yeddyurappa to form the government, aforementioned leaders are knocking on the door of respective state governors' door. When BJP spun the ''single largest party'' theory in order wrest power from the Congress-JD(U), which claimed to have the numbers to form the government, has come back to haunt them in a way they never anticipated. The first state to get off the block is Goa. Fifteen months after the elections Goa Congress is now planning to approach the Governor tomorrow to stake claim to form the government in the state. Goa Congress leader Yatish Naik claims that in 2017 the won 17 seats and were the single largest party and continue to be but Governor chose to invite the BJP which had 13 seats. In Karnataka, Governor invited BJP as they are the single largest party. So, we appeal to Governor to invite us to form govt. Similarly, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav today said that the party has decided to meet the Governor tomorrow at 1 pm and demand that like BJP, the single largest party in Karnataka, should be called to form the government in Bihar. The current government in Bihar be dissolved and the single largest party, RJD, be invited to form the government, ANI quoted him as saying. Yadav also attacked Modi and Amit Shah. How will BJP prove majority? he asked and added Amit Shah has only one formula, horse-trading or sending agencies like CBI & ED behind MLAs of other parties. It's dictatorship by BJP. If we aren't united today then it was Bihar yesterday, Karnataka today, can be MP or Rajasthan tomorrow, he said. Former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and former Meghalaya CM Mukul Sangma have also sought time from respective Governors of the state for a meeting tomorrow, according to news agency ANI. In the March 2017 assembly elections in Manipur, the BJP, with 21 seats, came second to the then ruling Congress, which bagged 28 – three short of the majority mark to form a government. In spite of coming second in the electoral race, the BJP famously formed a government with support from its regional allies, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and the National People’s Party (NPP). Meanwhile, Congress is preparing to demand the "Karnataka model" in neighbouring Goa, where it couldn't form a government last year despite emerging as the single largest party. "If in Karnataka the single largest party got a chance to form the government, then the governments in Goa, Bihar, Manipur and Meghalaya should resign and make way for the single largest party," said Randeep Surjewala of the Congress.

After invite to Karnataka BJP to form government, leaders from 4 states lineup to meet Governors

<p>The Congress on Wednesday lambasted Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala for inviting BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa to form the government in the state, accusing him of acting like a "BJP puppet" and allowing the saffron party to "manufacture" a majority in 15 days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress leader P Chidambaram also alleged that the Governor has given Yeddyurappa 15 days time to "convert" the number of 104 legislators to 111.</p>

<p>"Governor invites Mr Yeddyurappa to manufacture a majority in 15 days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Governor gives Mr Yeddyurappa 15 days to convert the number 104 into 111," he tweeted.</p>

<p>Party general secretary Ashok Gehlot said that the decision was a "murder of democracy" and has been taken "under pressure from the BJP leadership".</p>

<p>"It is a murder of democracy in the country and it is a black day in India's history...The decision has been taken under pressure of BJP leaders," Gehlot told PTI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gehlot expressed concerns over the development and said people of the country are "worried" over the direction in which the country was moving.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a communique, Vala invited Yeddyurappa to form the government and take oath as chief minister tomorrow. He also asked Yeddyurappa to seek a vote of confidence within 15 days of assuming office.</p>

<p>The BJP has emerged as the single largest party in the southern state winning 104 seats, but is short of a simple majority. On the other hand, the Congress and JD(S), which have already announced post-poll tie-up, have won 78 and 37 seats respectively and claimed before Vala to have numbers to form government in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also hit out at Vala, accusing him of denigrating the Governor's office, trampling upon Constitution and abusing law and acting like a "BJP puppet".</p>

<p>Vala, Surjewala charged, chose to serve "his masters in the BJP" than serving the Constitution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Vajubhai Vala denigrates the Governor's office,tramples upon Constitution,abuses the law & acts as a BJP puppet.</p>

<p>"He chooses to serve his Master's in BJP rather then serve the Constitution.</p>

<p>As @BJPKarnataka informed in advance, orders come from BJP HQ then the sanctity of office," he said on Twitter.&nbsp;</p>


Congress leader P Chidambaram also alleged that the Governor has given Yeddyurappa 15 days time to "convert" the number of 104 legislators to 111.

The Congress on Wednesday lambasted Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala for inviting BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa to form the government in the state, accusing him of acting like a "BJP puppet" and allowing the saffron party to "manufacture" a majority in 15 days. Congress leader P Chidambaram also alleged that the Governor has given Yeddyurappa 15 days time to "convert" the number of 104 legislators to 111. "Governor invites Mr Yeddyurappa to manufacture a majority in 15 days. "Governor gives Mr Yeddyurappa 15 days to convert the number 104 into 111," he tweeted. Party general secretary Ashok Gehlot said that the decision was a "murder of democracy" and has been taken "under pressure from the BJP leadership". "It is a murder of democracy in the country and it is a black day in India's history...The decision has been taken under pressure of BJP leaders," Gehlot told PTI. Gehlot expressed concerns over the development and said people of the country are "worried" over the direction in which the country was moving. In a communique, Vala invited Yeddyurappa to form the government and take oath as chief minister tomorrow. He also asked Yeddyurappa to seek a vote of confidence within 15 days of assuming office. The BJP has emerged as the single largest party in the southern state winning 104 seats, but is short of a simple majority. On the other hand, the Congress and JD(S), which have already announced post-poll tie-up, have won 78 and 37 seats respectively and claimed before Vala to have numbers to form government in the state. Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also hit out at Vala, accusing him of denigrating the Governor's office, trampling upon Constitution and abusing law and acting like a "BJP puppet". Vala, Surjewala charged, chose to serve "his masters in the BJP" than serving the Constitution. "Vajubhai Vala denigrates the Governor's office,tramples upon Constitution,abuses the law & acts as a BJP puppet. "He chooses to serve his Master's in BJP rather then serve the Constitution. As @BJPKarnataka informed in advance, orders come from BJP HQ then the sanctity of office," he said on Twitter.

Angry Congress dubs Karnataka Governor 'BJP puppet'

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<p>Fifteen months after the elections Goa Congress to approach the Governor tomorrow to stake claim to form the government in the state. Congress Goa in-charge Chella Kumar along with other party leaders will meet the Governor tomorrow and stake claim to form the government.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Against the backdrop of political developments in Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today claimed the situation in the country was similar to that in Pakistan under "dictatorship".</p>

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<p>Jamat ud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed who India alleges is the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks is planning to setup JuD offices in all districts of Pakistan with different names to collect funds, India's intelligence sources have revealed.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkeys-erdogan-says-un-has-collapsed-in-the-face-of-gaza-violence-137688">Turkey's Erdogan says UN has 'collapsed' in the face of Gaza violence</a></p>

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Now, Goa Congress, RJD in Bihar to stake claim to form government after Karnataka Governor's invite to BJP Fifteen months after the elections Goa Congress to approach the Governor tomorrow to stake claim to form the government in the state. Congress Goa in-charge Chella Kumar along with other party leaders will meet the Governor tomorrow and stake claim to form the government. Atmosphere of fear in country, situation similar to Pakistan: Rahul Gandhi Against the backdrop of political developments in Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today claimed the situation in the country was similar to that in Pakistan under "dictatorship". JuD chief Hafiz Saeed setting up offices in all Pakistan districts, reveal intelligence sources Jamat ud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed who India alleges is the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks is planning to setup JuD offices in all districts of Pakistan with different names to collect funds, India's intelligence sources have revealed. Turkey's Erdogan says UN has 'collapsed' in the face of Gaza violence Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that the United Nations had "collapsed" in the face of events in Gaza where Israeli forces killed 60 Palestinian protesters on Monday as the United States relocated its Israel embassy to Jerusalem. After Messi, ISIS threatens to 'behead' Ronaldo ahead of Russia World Cup A pro-Islamic State(IS) organisation which earlier targeted football star Lionel Messi, has now threatened to kill and behead, Cristiano Ronaldo, ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

<p>Against the backdrop of political developments in Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today claimed the situation in the country was similar to that in Pakistan under "dictatorship".</p>

<p>At an event here, he alleged there was an atmosphere of fear in the country and the Constitution was under "severe attack", with even the institutions such as the judiciary and the press being suppressed and threatened.</p>

<p>His remarks came hours after BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa was sworn-in as the chief minister of Karnataka.</p>

<p>While the Congress-JD(S) combine in the state has been claiming a majority with the support of 117 MLAs, the BJP has 104 seats in the Assembly which has 224 elected members. Polling was not held in two seats. The House has a nominated seat.</p>

<p>"The Constitution is under severe attack in the country... In Karnataka, the MLAs are on one side and the Governor on the other and you know what attempt is being made," Gandhi said.</p>

<p>"The JD(S) leader has said its MLAs were offered Rs 100 crore," the Congress president said, apparently referring to H D Kumaraswami who had made the allegation.</p>

<p>Gandhi said, "One after another, you can see in every democratic institution in the country,..The RSS is trying to induct its people."</p>

<p>He said, "There is fear in the judiciary, there is fear in the press, and even the BJP's members of Parliament are scared as they cannot speak a single word before the prime minister."</p>

<p>In the last 70 years, it was generally seen that the people approached the judiciary for seeking justice, he said.</p>

<p>"But for the first time it was seen that four judges of the Supreme Court appeared before the press and sought support from the public, saying they were being suppressed and not allowed to perform their duties.</p>

<p>"Such a thing was witnessed for the first time in a democratic country. It definitely happens under dictatorships, it happens in Pakistan, it happens in different African countries, (where) a general comes and suppresses the court and the press. But in India, it has happened for the first time in last 70 years," Gandhi said.</p>

<p>He was apparently referring to the unprecedented press conference by four senior judges of the Supreme Court in January this year to express their grievances against the Chief Justice of India.</p>

<p>In his address at a 'Jan Swaraj Sammelan' here on the occasion of the silver jubilee of 73rd and 74th amendment in the Constitution related to local self-governance, the Congress leader accused the BJP and the RSS of capturing every democratic institution in country.</p>

<p>He said the Congress had ruled the country for several years but never tried to capture the democratic institutions.</p>

<p>Gandhi also alleged that the RSS and the BJP's target was to suppress the voice of Dalits, 'adivasis' (tribals) and women and distribute the country's wealth to some selected people.</p>

<p>"When farmers talk about loan waiver, (Finance Minister) Arun Jaitley says the Centre does not have any policy for it. But in the last one year, Rs 2.5 lakh crore loan of 15 rich people was waived. He (Jaitley) doesn't speak on it because it's in their policy," the Congress chief said.</p>

<p>He said that if the BJP wanted to talk about corruption, then its leaders should speak about the Rafale fighter deal, BJP chief's son and (Union minister) Piyush Goyal's company. However, he did not elaborate on it.</p>

<p>Gandhi alleged the BJP government has snatched the rights of farmers, villagers and poor and diluted the law.</p>

<p>He said the people will have to come together to fight against the ideology of the RSS and the BJP to protect the Constitution.</p>

<p>"If we want to fight against the ideology of the RSS and the BJP, the representatives and women who are sitting here, are our key strength," he said, referring to the panchayat members present at the event.</p>

<p>During the interaction with the representatives, Gandhi said if the Congress comes to power at the Centre, its focus will be on education, health and employment sectors in which the "Modi government has completely failed".</p>

<p>He said his party's government would waive farmers' loans within 10 days of coming to power in 2019.</p>

<p>Accusing the Modi government of considering farmers as a burden, he said the Congress considers them as its strength.</p>

<p>"If the Narendra Modi government can waive loans of 15 to 20 rich industrialists worth Rs 2.5 lakh crore, why can't farmers' loans be waived?" he asked.</p>

<p>"That amount is equivalent to Rs 35,000 crore that the UPA spent to implement the MNERGA scheme in the country," he said.</p>

<p>He said, "Modi calls Mehul Choksi as Mehul bhai. He knows Choksi and Nirav Modi well. Modi did not respond to my request to waive farm loans in the entire country."</p>

<p>The Congress government had brought the Land Acquisition Bill, in which it was clearly mentioned that panchayat's permission should be mandatory for acquiring land in a village, Gandhi said.</p>

<p>"The attack on me (by the BJP) was launched since the day I visited Bhatta Parsaul (in 2011 in Noida in UP). There I had raised questions and from that day they have been trying to corner me," he said.&nbsp</p>


At an event here, he alleged there was an atmosphere of fear in the country and the Constitution was under "severe attack", with even the institutions such as the judiciary and the press being suppressed and threatened.

Against the backdrop of political developments in Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today claimed the situation in the country was similar to that in Pakistan under "dictatorship". At an event here, he alleged there was an atmosphere of fear in the country and the Constitution was under "severe attack", with even the institutions such as the judiciary and the press being suppressed and threatened. His remarks came hours after BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa was sworn-in as the chief minister of Karnataka. While the Congress-JD(S) combine in the state has been claiming a majority with the support of 117 MLAs, the BJP has 104 seats in the Assembly which has 224 elected members. Polling was not held in two seats. The House has a nominated seat. "The Constitution is under severe attack in the country... In Karnataka, the MLAs are on one side and the Governor on the other and you know what attempt is being made," Gandhi said. "The JD(S) leader has said its MLAs were offered Rs 100 crore," the Congress president said, apparently referring to H D Kumaraswami who had made the allegation. Gandhi said, "One after another, you can see in every democratic institution in the country,..The RSS is trying to induct its people." He said, "There is fear in the judiciary, there is fear in the press, and even the BJP's members of Parliament are scared as they cannot speak a single word before the prime minister." In the last 70 years, it was generally seen that the people approached the judiciary for seeking justice, he said. "But for the first time it was seen that four judges of the Supreme Court appeared before the press and sought support from the public, saying they were being suppressed and not allowed to perform their duties. "Such a thing was witnessed for the first time in a democratic country. It definitely happens under dictatorships, it happens in Pakistan, it happens in different African countries, (where) a general comes and suppresses the court and the press. But in India, it has happened for the first time in last 70 years," Gandhi said. He was apparently referring to the unprecedented press conference by four senior judges of the Supreme Court in January this year to express their grievances against the Chief Justice of India. In his address at a 'Jan Swaraj Sammelan' here on the occasion of the silver jubilee of 73rd and 74th amendment in the Constitution related to local self-governance, the Congress leader accused the BJP and the RSS of capturing every democratic institution in country. He said the Congress had ruled the country for several years but never tried to capture the democratic institutions. Gandhi also alleged that the RSS and the BJP's target was to suppress the voice of Dalits, 'adivasis' (tribals) and women and distribute the country's wealth to some selected people. "When farmers talk about loan waiver, (Finance Minister) Arun Jaitley says the Centre does not have any policy for it. But in the last one year, Rs 2.5 lakh crore loan of 15 rich people was waived. He (Jaitley) doesn't speak on it because it's in their policy," the Congress chief said. He said that if the BJP wanted to talk about corruption, then its leaders should speak about the Rafale fighter deal, BJP chief's son and (Union minister) Piyush Goyal's company. However, he did not elaborate on it. Gandhi alleged the BJP government has snatched the rights of farmers, villagers and poor and diluted the law. He said the people will have to come together to fight against the ideology of the RSS and the BJP to protect the Constitution. "If we want to fight against the ideology of the RSS and the BJP, the representatives and women who are sitting here, are our key strength," he said, referring to the panchayat members present at the event. During the interaction with the representatives, Gandhi said if the Congress comes to power at the Centre, its focus will be on education, health and employment sectors in which the "Modi government has completely failed". He said his party's government would waive farmers' loans within 10 days of coming to power in 2019. Accusing the Modi government of considering farmers as a burden, he said the Congress considers them as its strength. "If the Narendra Modi government can waive loans of 15 to 20 rich industrialists worth Rs 2.5 lakh crore, why can't farmers' loans be waived?" he asked. "That amount is equivalent to Rs 35,000 crore that the UPA spent to implement the MNERGA scheme in the country," he said. He said, "Modi calls Mehul Choksi as Mehul bhai. He knows Choksi and Nirav Modi well. Modi did not respond to my request to waive farm loans in the entire country." The Congress government had brought the Land Acquisition Bill, in which it was clearly mentioned that panchayat's permission should be mandatory for acquiring land in a village, Gandhi said. "The attack on me (by the BJP) was launched since the day I visited Bhatta Parsaul (in 2011 in Noida in UP). There I had raised questions and from that day they have been trying to corner me," he said.

Atmosphere of fear in country, situation similar to Pakistan: Rahul Gandhi

<p>The big churn has begun. After the Karnataka verdict, a message seems to have gone down loud and clear in the Congress that barring few states where they are directly pitched against BJP, Congress will have to ally with regional parties.</p>

<p>Sources in the Congress say that UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi is working on a 'one constituency one candidate' plan. The idea is to have a single candidate from the opposition against BJP. The urgency stems from the fact that Congress feels that if BJP is not stopped in 2019, it may not find itself in a fighting position later.</p>

<p>However, many regional parties want Congress to play a subservient role. So, implementing this plan will be tough for the Rahul Gandhi-led party in many states like Uttar Pradesh where it is not a player or is in a weak position. Nonetheless, Congress will cooperate with regional partners and ensure that there is a united front. But the idea has Sonia Gandhi convinced and she has taken charge of this inter-party initiative. It, however, will also mean that Congress will have to deal with Mayawati who tied up with Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) in Karnataka and has declared support for Chautalas for Haryana assembly elections.</p>

<p>The challenge for the Congress would be to retain primal position within the opposition which is being challenged by the Trinamool Congress. Sources in Congress said that it seems that regional parties like KCR-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) are playing the role of B-team of BJP but Congress has decided not to publicly trade so not to affect opposition unity.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Many senior leaders have also suggested drastic changes in the model of the Congress party. Sources said that many of them have said that Congress will have to turn into a cadre-based party tuned towards booth management where it can convert votes into seats. Many understand that the earlier tradition of parceling out of the party to individual leaders cannot function against Modi-Shah combine. It has been seen that when the leaders defect, they take the workers along leaving the party in a lurch. A senior source said that party has an ideology but it needs to transform itself at the booth level. This idea comes in the wake of phenomenal success of <em>panna pramukh</em> scheme of BJP with ensures that all committed voters of the party come out to vote.</p>

<p>Many insiders feel that in modern era there cannot be any sense of entitlement and many things need to be changed. Sources said that party needs to take decision faster and to be extremely aggressive about countering the BJP. The lack of quick decision-making undid Goa and Manipur mandate for the Congress. As of now Congress is giving charge to younger leadership in the state and ensuring that a state incharge should only focus on one state rather than two or three which was the case in the past.</p>

<p>Despite being in strong position in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress cannot discount the might of Modi and Shah combine which have firmly positioned the guns on Gandhis.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Many senior leaders have also suggested drastic changes in the model of the Congress party.

The big churn has begun. After the Karnataka verdict, a message seems to have gone down loud and clear in the Congress that barring few states where they are directly pitched against BJP, Congress will have to ally with regional parties. Sources in the Congress say that UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi is working on a 'one constituency one candidate' plan. The idea is to have a single candidate from the opposition against BJP. The urgency stems from the fact that Congress feels that if BJP is not stopped in 2019, it may not find itself in a fighting position later. However, many regional parties want Congress to play a subservient role. So, implementing this plan will be tough for the Rahul Gandhi-led party in many states like Uttar Pradesh where it is not a player or is in a weak position. Nonetheless, Congress will cooperate with regional partners and ensure that there is a united front. But the idea has Sonia Gandhi convinced and she has taken charge of this inter-party initiative. It, however, will also mean that Congress will have to deal with Mayawati who tied up with Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) in Karnataka and has declared support for Chautalas for Haryana assembly elections. The challenge for the Congress would be to retain primal position within the opposition which is being challenged by the Trinamool Congress. Sources in Congress said that it seems that regional parties like KCR-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) are playing the role of B-team of BJP but Congress has decided not to publicly trade so not to affect opposition unity. Many senior leaders have also suggested drastic changes in the model of the Congress party. Sources said that many of them have said that Congress will have to turn into a cadre-based party tuned towards booth management where it can convert votes into seats. Many understand that the earlier tradition of parceling out of the party to individual leaders cannot function against Modi-Shah combine. It has been seen that when the leaders defect, they take the workers along leaving the party in a lurch. A senior source said that party has an ideology but it needs to transform itself at the booth level. This idea comes in the wake of phenomenal success of panna pramukh scheme of BJP with ensures that all committed voters of the party come out to vote. Many insiders feel that in modern era there cannot be any sense of entitlement and many things need to be changed. Sources said that party needs to take decision faster and to be extremely aggressive about countering the BJP. The lack of quick decision-making undid Goa and Manipur mandate for the Congress. As of now Congress is giving charge to younger leadership in the state and ensuring that a state incharge should only focus on one state rather than two or three which was the case in the past. Despite being in strong position in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress cannot discount the might of Modi and Shah combine which have firmly positioned the guns on Gandhis.

After Karnataka verdict, churn begins in Congress

<p>A little after BS Yeddyurappa was sworn in as Chief Minister of Karnataka, Congress leaders and the party's Karnataka MLAs began protesting outside the Vidhan Soudha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy and his father HD Deve Gowda joined them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There was however one Congress MLA missing — Anand Singh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Singh, a mining baron who joined the Congress from the BJP just before the Karnataka elections, was also missing from the Congress Legislature Party meeting yesterday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"All MLAs are here except Anand Singh," Congress MP from Bangalore Rural DK Suresh said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"He is in (the) clutches of Narendra Modi," Suresh added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kumaraswamy was even more forthcoming.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Modi government is misusing institutions of central government," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I know they are threatening MLAs.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">All MLAs are here except Anand Singh, he is in clutches of Narendra Modi: DK Suresh, Congress MP at Vidhan Soudha in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengaluru?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengaluru</a> <a href="https://t.co/2h8F3q0IKF">pic.twitter.com/2h8F3q0IKF</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996984233074700288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Modi govt is misusing institutions of central govt. I know they are threatening MLAs. Anand Singh (Cong MLA) told 'they are using ED, I had a case in ED & they are going to screw me. I'm sorry I have to protect my interest,' another Cong MLA who spoke to Singh told me-Kumaraswamy <a href="https://t.co/QrzW8eHeAR">pic.twitter.com/QrzW8eHeAR</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996985647679197184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kumaraswamy then said Singh had told another Congress MLA that, "They are using ED, I had a case in ED and they are going to screw me. I'm sorry I have to protect my interest."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kumaraswamy added that he had learnt what Anand Singh had said from the second Congress MLA.&nbsp;</p>


Anand Singh, who joined the Congress from the BJP just before the elections, is not at the Congress-JD(S) protest at the Vidhan Soudha. He also did not attend the Karnataka Congress Legislature Party meeting yesterday

A little after BS Yeddyurappa was sworn in as Chief Minister of Karnataka, Congress leaders and the party's Karnataka MLAs began protesting outside the Vidhan Soudha. The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy and his father HD Deve Gowda joined them. There was however one Congress MLA missing — Anand Singh. Singh, a mining baron who joined the Congress from the BJP just before the Karnataka elections, was also missing from the Congress Legislature Party meeting yesterday. "All MLAs are here except Anand Singh," Congress MP from Bangalore Rural DK Suresh said. "He is in (the) clutches of Narendra Modi," Suresh added. Kumaraswamy was even more forthcoming. "Modi government is misusing institutions of central government," he said. "I know they are threatening MLAs. All MLAs are here except Anand Singh, he is in clutches of Narendra Modi: DK Suresh, Congress MP at Vidhan Soudha in #Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/2h8F3q0IKF — ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2018 × Modi govt is misusing institutions of central govt. I know they are threatening MLAs. Anand Singh (Cong MLA) told 'they are using ED, I had a case in ED & they are going to screw me. I'm sorry I have to protect my interest,' another Cong MLA who spoke to Singh told me-Kumaraswamy pic.twitter.com/QrzW8eHeAR — ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2018 × Kumaraswamy then said Singh had told another Congress MLA that, "They are using ED, I had a case in ED and they are going to screw me. I'm sorry I have to protect my interest." Kumaraswamy added that he had learnt what Anand Singh had said from the second Congress MLA.

First Congress MLA seems to break from Cong-JD(S) ranks

<p>Though the Congress won 26 fewer seats than the BJP in the bitterly fought Karnataka election, its vote share was nearly two per cent points higher, according to data released by the Election Commission.</p>

<p>At the end of counting of votes for 219 of the 224 constituencies, the BJP emerged as the single largest party bagging 101 seats and was leading in three with a vote share of 36.2 per cent while the Congress came second with 78 seats accounting for 38 per cent of the votes.</p>

<p>Polling for RR Nagar seat was deferred on account of alleged electoral malpractices while it was countermanded in Jayanagar seat following the death of the BJP candidate.</p>

<p>Karnataka recorded the highest voter turnout at 72.13 per cent since the 1952 assembly elections.</p>

<p>According to the official data, the Congress' vote share rose marginally to 38 per cent in the current polls from 36.6 per cent in 2013 but the party had to settle for lesser seats. The ruling party had a strength of 122 MLAs in the outgoing house. Its vote share was 35.13 per cent in 2008.</p>

<p>Interestingly, over three lakh people, accounting for 0.9% votes share opted for None Of The Above (NOTA) option. &nbsp;</p>

<p>On the other hand, the BJP's vote share remained marginally lower than that of Congress but at 36.2 per cent it recorded the highest so far and also managed to bag more seats but will fall short of nine seats for a comfortable majority in a House of 224. The BJP had 40 seats in the outgoing house.</p>

<p>The BJP's previous highest in vote share was 33.86 per cent in 2008, when BS Yeddyurappa rode to power by winning 110 seats to usher in the first saffron government in the south. But the party failed to retain power in 2013 as it could manage only 40 seats with its vote share dropping drastically to 19.9 per cent because of two splits in the party.</p>

<p>The two splinter parties - B S Yeddyurappa's Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) and B Sriramulu's BSR Congress Party (BSRCP) -- cut into BJP's share in 2013. KJP and BSRCP had got 9.8 per cent and 2.7 per cent vote share, respectively.</p>

<p>JD(S)' vote share declined to 18.4 per cent this year from 20.2 per cent in 2013 and 19.44 per cent in 2008 and is in the hunt for power after stitching a dramatic post-poll alliance with rival Congress. The party headed by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda got three seats less than the 40 it obtained in the previous polls.</p>

<p>Political analyst Yogendra Yadav said there is "nothing new" in the vote share pattern and the link with the seats won by the rival parties.</p>

<p>"There is nothing new here. This is exactly what happened in 2008 as well. Congress' votes are more or less evenly spread throughout the state. BJP votes are concentrated in few pockets. Although the average vote share of BJP is lower than the Congress, but where BJP and Congress are in competition, BJP's average is much higher than the Congress," Mr Yadav said.</p>

<p>Mr Yadav also claimed there is no big wave in favour of the BJP.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/df-9nE6Dwk0" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>"There is no popular mandate in favour of BJP. But there is a popular mandate against Congress. People have rejected Congress but not selected BJP. That is because both political parties have not raised any of the key issues affecting the people of Karnataka, be it farmers issues, unemployment and widespread corruption. This has led to the strange fractured verdict."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mr Yadav also said the vote share of the JD(S) showed its popularity has not gone up as its votes are concentrated in a small pocket of old Mysuru region.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>


Even after remaining ahead of the Congress party in terms of seats in bitterly fought Karnataka assembly election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) got over 6 lakh votes less than the grand old party.

Though the Congress won 26 fewer seats than the BJP in the bitterly fought Karnataka election, its vote share was nearly two per cent points higher, according to data released by the Election Commission. At the end of counting of votes for 219 of the 224 constituencies, the BJP emerged as the single largest party bagging 101 seats and was leading in three with a vote share of 36.2 per cent while the Congress came second with 78 seats accounting for 38 per cent of the votes. Polling for RR Nagar seat was deferred on account of alleged electoral malpractices while it was countermanded in Jayanagar seat following the death of the BJP candidate. Karnataka recorded the highest voter turnout at 72.13 per cent since the 1952 assembly elections. According to the official data, the Congress' vote share rose marginally to 38 per cent in the current polls from 36.6 per cent in 2013 but the party had to settle for lesser seats. The ruling party had a strength of 122 MLAs in the outgoing house. Its vote share was 35.13 per cent in 2008. Interestingly, over three lakh people, accounting for 0.9% votes share opted for None Of The Above (NOTA) option. On the other hand, the BJP's vote share remained marginally lower than that of Congress but at 36.2 per cent it recorded the highest so far and also managed to bag more seats but will fall short of nine seats for a comfortable majority in a House of 224. The BJP had 40 seats in the outgoing house. The BJP's previous highest in vote share was 33.86 per cent in 2008, when BS Yeddyurappa rode to power by winning 110 seats to usher in the first saffron government in the south. But the party failed to retain power in 2013 as it could manage only 40 seats with its vote share dropping drastically to 19.9 per cent because of two splits in the party. The two splinter parties - B S Yeddyurappa's Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) and B Sriramulu's BSR Congress Party (BSRCP) -- cut into BJP's share in 2013. KJP and BSRCP had got 9.8 per cent and 2.7 per cent vote share, respectively. JD(S)' vote share declined to 18.4 per cent this year from 20.2 per cent in 2013 and 19.44 per cent in 2008 and is in the hunt for power after stitching a dramatic post-poll alliance with rival Congress. The party headed by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda got three seats less than the 40 it obtained in the previous polls. Political analyst Yogendra Yadav said there is "nothing new" in the vote share pattern and the link with the seats won by the rival parties. "There is nothing new here. This is exactly what happened in 2008 as well. Congress' votes are more or less evenly spread throughout the state. BJP votes are concentrated in few pockets. Although the average vote share of BJP is lower than the Congress, but where BJP and Congress are in competition, BJP's average is much higher than the Congress," Mr Yadav said. Mr Yadav also claimed there is no big wave in favour of the BJP. "There is no popular mandate in favour of BJP. But there is a popular mandate against Congress. People have rejected Congress but not selected BJP. That is because both political parties have not raised any of the key issues affecting the people of Karnataka, be it farmers issues, unemployment and widespread corruption. This has led to the strange fractured verdict." Mr Yadav also said the vote share of the JD(S) showed its popularity has not gone up as its votes are concentrated in a small pocket of old Mysuru region. (With inputs from PTI)

Karnataka results: Congress won 26 fewer seats but got 6.3 lakh more votes than BJP

<p>Senior Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader KS Eshwarappa on Wednesday said that their party is in touch with some Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs as they hope to stitch together a majority to form the government in the state.</p>

<p>"Many JD (S) and Congress MLAs are angry with Congress and JD(S) going together to form a government, they will come with BJP. We have the support of some Congress and JD(S) MLAs," Eshwarappa told reporters here.</p>

<p>He also asserted that BJP will form the government in the state.</p>

<p>Talking to ANI, Eshwarappa said, "There is no doubt we will form govt, 100 percent we'll do that. Wait and watch. Results came out only yesterday. It has been only a day. See what can happen in Karnataka in a day."</p>

<p>Eshwarappa bagged the Shivamogga seat with a tremendous margin in the Karnataka Assembly elections.</p>

<p>He secured 1,04,027 votes, defeating Congress' K.B. Prasanna Kumar by a margin of 46,107.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, BJP's Basavaraj Bommai said that the party wasn't approaching any individuals as of now, but added that politics is the art of possibility.</p>

<p>"Political scenario will unfold in next 2-3 days. It depends on development in political parties. As of now, we aren't approaching any individuals but politics is an art of possibility," Bommai told reporters.</p>

<p>The BJP, which managed to gain a hold on 104 seats, has emerged as the single largest party but has failed to cross the half-way mark of 112 in the 224-member assembly.</p>

<p>On the other hand, Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S), with 78 and 38 seats respectively, are staking claim to form a government in the state.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah even said JD (S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, will be the next chief minister.</p>

<p>Further, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa said he is going to meet the state's governor to request him to allow his party to form the government.</p>

<p>All eyes are now set on Karnataka's Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the constitutional provision, the single-largest party is invited to form the government in the case of a fractured mandate.&nbsp;</p>


KS Eshwarappa bagged the Shivamogga seat with a tremendous margin in the Karnataka Assembly elections

Senior Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader KS Eshwarappa on Wednesday said that their party is in touch with some Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs as they hope to stitch together a majority to form the government in the state. "Many JD (S) and Congress MLAs are angry with Congress and JD(S) going together to form a government, they will come with BJP. We have the support of some Congress and JD(S) MLAs," Eshwarappa told reporters here. He also asserted that BJP will form the government in the state. Talking to ANI, Eshwarappa said, "There is no doubt we will form govt, 100 percent we'll do that. Wait and watch. Results came out only yesterday. It has been only a day. See what can happen in Karnataka in a day." Eshwarappa bagged the Shivamogga seat with a tremendous margin in the Karnataka Assembly elections. He secured 1,04,027 votes, defeating Congress' K.B. Prasanna Kumar by a margin of 46,107. Meanwhile, BJP's Basavaraj Bommai said that the party wasn't approaching any individuals as of now, but added that politics is the art of possibility. "Political scenario will unfold in next 2-3 days. It depends on development in political parties. As of now, we aren't approaching any individuals but politics is an art of possibility," Bommai told reporters. The BJP, which managed to gain a hold on 104 seats, has emerged as the single largest party but has failed to cross the half-way mark of 112 in the 224-member assembly. On the other hand, Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S), with 78 and 38 seats respectively, are staking claim to form a government in the state. On Tuesday, outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah even said JD (S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, will be the next chief minister. Further, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa said he is going to meet the state's governor to request him to allow his party to form the government. All eyes are now set on Karnataka's Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala. As per the constitutional provision, the single-largest party is invited to form the government in the case of a fractured mandate.

BJP's KS Eshwarappa: We have support of some Congress and JD(S) MLAs

<p>The drama in Karnataka will continue on Wednesday with both the JD(S)-Congress combine and the BJP meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala today to stake their claims to forming a government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy had met Governor Vala Tuesday evening, and staked his claim to forming a government in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kumaraswamy was accompanied by the Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress told Vala that it was giving the JD(S) its "unconditional support".&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the BJP's chief ministerial candidate got to Vala before Kumaraswamy, and he too staked his claim to forming the government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-does-a-goa-in-karnataka-137130">Congress does to BJP in Karnataka what latter did to it in Goa</a></p>

<p>The Karnataka vote, which was counted yesterday, ended with the BJP emerging as the single largest party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The party won 104 seats, the Congress won 78, the JD(S) won 37, its pre-poll ally the BSP won 1, and Others 2.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Karnataka has 224 assembly seats but voting was held for 222. The halfway mark then is 111, with a party needing 112 seats for a simple majority.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP is short by 8 seats, while the JD(S)-Congress combine (including the BSP) has 116 seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But Yeddyurappa told Governor Vala yesterday that he should be the one invited to try and form a government since the BJP has emerged as the single-largest party in Karnataka.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah meanwhile quoted the Supreme Court as saying after the Goa election that "group having more seats than required are invited".&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Have called for a meeting tomorrow. Newly elected Congress & JD(S) MLAs will be there. We are supporting JD(S) to form govt & have sent this resolution to the Governor. SC said after Goa election that group having more seats than reqd. are invited, we have 117 seats: Siddarmaiah <a href="https://t.co/YT5IEaHO9H">pic.twitter.com/YT5IEaHO9H</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996468249381429248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Remember, in Goa and Manipur, which went to the polls last year, the Congress had emerged as the single-largest party. But the BJP ended up forming coalition governments in both states because the Congress was not able to muster up the needed numbers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All eyes, in Karnataka and the country, then are on Governor Vala and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jdss-kumaraswamy-bjps-yeddyurappa-stake-claim-to-form-karnataka-govt-all-eyes-now-on-governor-137164">what he does next</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Constitutional experts have said the decision is his but that he will have to be guided by the principle of inviting the combine/ party that he thinks will provide the state with a stable government. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">HD Deve Gowda reaches Ashoka Hotel for meeting with senior Congress leaders in Bengaluru. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/GIDbPgSPpZ">pic.twitter.com/GIDbPgSPpZ</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996418655872139264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">JD(S)' HD Deve Gowda & HD Kumaraswamy are in meeting with Congress leaders including Siddaramaiah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, DK Shivakumar and Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/rJxE5mXrrM">https://t.co/rJxE5mXrrM</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996419812120145920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tomorrow at 10:30 am in BJP legislative party meeting, I am going to be elected as party leader. After that all MLAs are going to meet the Governor to request him to allow BJP to form govt. Now the ball is in the court of the Governor. We will do as he decides: BS Yeddyurappa <a href="https://t.co/6QbhizTr6z">pic.twitter.com/6QbhizTr6z</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996422285945749505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The JD(S) meanwhile has said they will be sticking with the Congress, but that the BJP has been trying to get in touch with them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have already decided to go with Congress. That's the reason we called Janta Dal (Secular) Legislature Party meeting. There is no question of taking any other decision," the JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy told ANI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I don't know what they (BJP) are offering but they are trying to call our people, but they are not responding. We are all together, no one can touch our party. Our party MLAs are loyal to the party: Saravana, JD(S) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/3q0OAehwWq">pic.twitter.com/3q0OAehwWq</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996604732855803904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I got a call from the BJP leaders. They said come to us & we'll give a ministry to you. We'll make you a minister. But, I'm going to stay here. HD Kumaraswamy is our Chief Minister: Amaregouda Linganagouda Patil Bayyapur, Congress. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/BIJYZHV7P7">pic.twitter.com/BIJYZHV7P7</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996593046014734336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">JD(S) & Congress have the numbers. I hope, the governor will discharge his constitutional duties & invite HD Kumaraswamy to talk. If BJP puts pressure on the governor, it will be the death of Democracy: Danish Ali, JD(S). <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/vNV3EBRAME">pic.twitter.com/vNV3EBRAME</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996600279976955905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The JD(S)'s Kumaraswamy and the BJP's Yeddyurappa had both met Governor Vajubhai Vala on Tuesday. Both staked their claims to forming a government in Karnataka

The drama in Karnataka will continue on Wednesday with both the JD(S)-Congress combine and the BJP meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala today to stake their claims to forming a government. The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy had met Governor Vala Tuesday evening, and staked his claim to forming a government in the state. Kumaraswamy was accompanied by the Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah. The Congress told Vala that it was giving the JD(S) its "unconditional support". But the BJP's chief ministerial candidate got to Vala before Kumaraswamy, and he too staked his claim to forming the government. Also read: Congress does to BJP in Karnataka what latter did to it in Goa The Karnataka vote, which was counted yesterday, ended with the BJP emerging as the single largest party. The party won 104 seats, the Congress won 78, the JD(S) won 37, its pre-poll ally the BSP won 1, and Others 2. Karnataka has 224 assembly seats but voting was held for 222. The halfway mark then is 111, with a party needing 112 seats for a simple majority. The BJP is short by 8 seats, while the JD(S)-Congress combine (including the BSP) has 116 seats. But Yeddyurappa told Governor Vala yesterday that he should be the one invited to try and form a government since the BJP has emerged as the single-largest party in Karnataka. Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah meanwhile quoted the Supreme Court as saying after the Goa election that "group having more seats than required are invited". Have called for a meeting tomorrow. Newly elected Congress & JD(S) MLAs will be there. We are supporting JD(S) to form govt & have sent this resolution to the Governor. SC said after Goa election that group having more seats than reqd. are invited, we have 117 seats: Siddarmaiah pic.twitter.com/YT5IEaHO9H — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × Remember, in Goa and Manipur, which went to the polls last year, the Congress had emerged as the single-largest party. But the BJP ended up forming coalition governments in both states because the Congress was not able to muster up the needed numbers. All eyes, in Karnataka and the country, then are on Governor Vala and what he does next. Constitutional experts have said the decision is his but that he will have to be guided by the principle of inviting the combine/ party that he thinks will provide the state with a stable government. HD Deve Gowda reaches Ashoka Hotel for meeting with senior Congress leaders in Bengaluru. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/GIDbPgSPpZ — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × JD(S)' HD Deve Gowda & HD Kumaraswamy are in meeting with Congress leaders including Siddaramaiah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, DK Shivakumar and Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru. #KarnatakaElections2018 https://t.co/rJxE5mXrrM — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × Tomorrow at 10:30 am in BJP legislative party meeting, I am going to be elected as party leader. After that all MLAs are going to meet the Governor to request him to allow BJP to form govt. Now the ball is in the court of the Governor. We will do as he decides: BS Yeddyurappa pic.twitter.com/6QbhizTr6z — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × The JD(S) meanwhile has said they will be sticking with the Congress, but that the BJP has been trying to get in touch with them. "We have already decided to go with Congress. That's the reason we called Janta Dal (Secular) Legislature Party meeting. There is no question of taking any other decision," the JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy told ANI. I don't know what they (BJP) are offering but they are trying to call our people, but they are not responding. We are all together, no one can touch our party. Our party MLAs are loyal to the party: Saravana, JD(S) #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/3q0OAehwWq — ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2018 × I got a call from the BJP leaders. They said come to us & we'll give a ministry to you. We'll make you a minister. But, I'm going to stay here. HD Kumaraswamy is our Chief Minister: Amaregouda Linganagouda Patil Bayyapur, Congress. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/BIJYZHV7P7 — ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2018 × JD(S) & Congress have the numbers. I hope, the governor will discharge his constitutional duties & invite HD Kumaraswamy to talk. If BJP puts pressure on the governor, it will be the death of Democracy: Danish Ali, JD(S). #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/vNV3EBRAME — ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2018 ×

Natak in Karnataka continues: JD(S)-Congress combine, and BJP to meet Governor again today

<p>PM Modi and his deputy Amit Shah ran a spirited campaign to annex Karnataka but came up short, in the end, giving a chance to Congress & JD(U) to stitch a last moment coalition to stop the BJP in its tracks.</p>

<p>Did the BJP's magic duo get it wrong in the end, maybe.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-elections-why-pm-modi-adityanath-will-lose--karnataka-will-win-136688">Also Read: Why PM Modi, Adityanath will lose & Karnataka will win</a></p>

<p>Firstly, the BJP was nowhere close to Congress's 2013 tally of 122, finishing with 104. The failure to clinch the magic number 112 helped the Opposition to seize the initiative.</p>

<p>Even though the BJP won more seats than the Congress but the party failed to pick as much vote share than Rahul's party and to top it all it failed to put down the Congress and JD(U) even though Modi's BJP&nbsp;fared much better than the last elections.</p>

<p>The failure could largely be attributed to lack of local support and leaders at the grassroots even though Yeddyurappa's appeal helped the BJP to consolidate votes. A party which is by nature focussed on getting the numbers game right could not blunt the Opposition this time.</p>

<p>Even though the Vokkaligas and Lingayats voted in large numbers for the JD(S) and BJP and the Dalits split with Congress, still the saffron surge could not come about at a crucial time.</p>

<p>Congress finished with 78 seats a creditable show given the fact that there was an obvious anti-incumbency wave in the state. The villain in the show for the Congress was former chief minister Siddaramaiah who with his announcement of turning Lingayat into a religious minority wasn't able to convince the voters with his last-minute antics. The numbers game backfired on the Congress too.</p>

<p>Politics maybe a ruthless numbers game but it has several different parameters - it cannot be applied in a singular way in all elections.</p>

<p>In the end, both the BJP and Congress did not give enough credit to the voters who made up their own mind. In this the JD(U) played the game according to its limitation, retaining the Vokkaliga votebank in the south and mopping up enough numbers to force the Congress to allow it have a free hand and "unconditional" support.</p>

<p>The JD(S) retained its vote share, dipping marginally from 20.2 to 18.3, but it was enough to propel Deve Gowda & Sons to force the Congress into submission.</p>

<p>Now the drama moves to Raj Bhawan and all eyes are on Governor Vala, an old BJP hand, the question is will he or won't he invite the JD(S)-Congress combine to form the next government or will he first invite the BJP, the single largest party to prove its majority?</p>

<p>Amit Shah could yet spring a surprise and cobble up the numbers - 12 in all - needed in the last over, and emerge victorious&nbsp;but in this last dash to reach the target the BJP could well stumble again and expose its flanks which could mean its gateway to the south would again be a bridge too far.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZM7QOcp2Bw0" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


The JD(S) retained its voteshare, dipping marginally from 20.2 to 18.3, but it was enough to propel Deve Gowda & Sons to force the Congress into submission.

PM Modi and his deputy Amit Shah ran a spirited campaign to annex Karnataka but came up short, in the end, giving a chance to Congress & JD(U) to stitch a last moment coalition to stop the BJP in its tracks. Did the BJP's magic duo get it wrong in the end, maybe. Also Read: Why PM Modi, Adityanath will lose & Karnataka will win Firstly, the BJP was nowhere close to Congress's 2013 tally of 122, finishing with 104. The failure to clinch the magic number 112 helped the Opposition to seize the initiative. Even though the BJP won more seats than the Congress but the party failed to pick as much vote share than Rahul's party and to top it all it failed to put down the Congress and JD(U) even though Modi's BJP fared much better than the last elections. The failure could largely be attributed to lack of local support and leaders at the grassroots even though Yeddyurappa's appeal helped the BJP to consolidate votes. A party which is by nature focussed on getting the numbers game right could not blunt the Opposition this time. Even though the Vokkaligas and Lingayats voted in large numbers for the JD(S) and BJP and the Dalits split with Congress, still the saffron surge could not come about at a crucial time. Congress finished with 78 seats a creditable show given the fact that there was an obvious anti-incumbency wave in the state. The villain in the show for the Congress was former chief minister Siddaramaiah who with his announcement of turning Lingayat into a religious minority wasn't able to convince the voters with his last-minute antics. The numbers game backfired on the Congress too. Politics maybe a ruthless numbers game but it has several different parameters - it cannot be applied in a singular way in all elections. In the end, both the BJP and Congress did not give enough credit to the voters who made up their own mind. In this the JD(U) played the game according to its limitation, retaining the Vokkaliga votebank in the south and mopping up enough numbers to force the Congress to allow it have a free hand and "unconditional" support. The JD(S) retained its vote share, dipping marginally from 20.2 to 18.3, but it was enough to propel Deve Gowda & Sons to force the Congress into submission. Now the drama moves to Raj Bhawan and all eyes are on Governor Vala, an old BJP hand, the question is will he or won't he invite the JD(S)-Congress combine to form the next government or will he first invite the BJP, the single largest party to prove its majority? Amit Shah could yet spring a surprise and cobble up the numbers - 12 in all - needed in the last over, and emerge victorious but in this last dash to reach the target the BJP could well stumble again and expose its flanks which could mean its gateway to the south would again be a bridge too far. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: How 'ruthless' PM Modi, Amit Shah lost the numbers game in Karnataka

<p>After Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Wednesday invited BJP legislative party leader BS Yeddyurappa to form the new government in the state, the Congress approached Supreme Court Chief Justice Dipak Misra for an urgent hearing on the matter.</p>

<p>Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi is the leading his party`s challenge.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Vajubhai Vala denigrates the Governor’s office,tramples upon Constitution,abuses the law & acts as a BJP puppet.<br />
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He chooses to serve his Master’s in BJP rather then serve the Constitution.<br />
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As <a href="https://twitter.com/BJPKarnataka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJPKarnataka</a> informed in advance, orders come from BJP HQ then the sanctity of office</p>
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) <a href="https://twitter.com/rssurjewala/status/996788135416729600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to television reports, the Congress wants an urgent hearing in the matter tonight. Congress is seeking a stay on Yeddyurappa's swearing-in. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress said the Governor denigrated his office, trampled the Constitution and acted as a BJP puppet.</p>

<p>Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala has invited Yeddyurappa to take oath as Chief Minister on Thursday morning at the Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Once more an occupant of a Raj Bhavan allows himself to be used as a rubber stamp. BJP announces (& then deletes) the details of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Yeddyurappa?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Yeddyurappa</a> swearing in slated for tomorrow before it can be officially communicated.</p>
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/996790212469690369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi is the leading his party`s challenge.

After Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Wednesday invited BJP legislative party leader BS Yeddyurappa to form the new government in the state, the Congress approached Supreme Court Chief Justice Dipak Misra for an urgent hearing on the matter. Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi is the leading his party`s challenge. Vajubhai Vala denigrates the Governor’s office,tramples upon Constitution,abuses the law & acts as a BJP puppet. He chooses to serve his Master’s in BJP rather then serve the Constitution. As @BJPKarnataka informed in advance, orders come from BJP HQ then the sanctity of office — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) May 16, 2018 × According to television reports, the Congress wants an urgent hearing in the matter tonight. Congress is seeking a stay on Yeddyurappa's swearing-in. The Congress said the Governor denigrated his office, trampled the Constitution and acted as a BJP puppet. Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala has invited Yeddyurappa to take oath as Chief Minister on Thursday morning at the Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru. Once more an occupant of a Raj Bhavan allows himself to be used as a rubber stamp. BJP announces (& then deletes) the details of #Yeddyurappa swearing in slated for tomorrow before it can be officially communicated. — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 16, 2018 ×

Congress moves SC against Karnataka Governor's decision to invite Yeddyurappa to form government

<p>Outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah turned "emotional" at a meeting of the party's new legislators on Wednesday while speaking on Congress' defeat in the assembly polls even as senior leaders blamed him for the result, news agency PTI reported quoting the party sources.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 69-year-old leader received flak from several senior party MLAs, who held him responsible for the Congress' performance, citing his complete authority in the selection of candidates and the Lingayat issue, they said.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Home Minister in the outgoing government Ramalinga Reddy said most of the MLAs were present at the meeting today except "three or four " who were on their way, but all were in touch".</p>

<p>Claiming that 117 MLAs were on their side, he said "despite this, if the Governor does not invite us, we will decide how to go further...We may also parade our strength."</p>

<p>Party sources aware of the developments said Siddaramaiah "kind of got emotional" as he spoke during the legislature party meeting of the Congress' loss despite his government's "good developmental works".</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah is also said to have cited "polarisation" as one of the factors that affected the party's prospects in the May 12 election.</p>

<p>The sources said 73 legislators, including one independent MLA, were present at the meet.</p>

<p>Six MLAs who were absent were in touch with party leaders over the phone, they said according to PTI.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">He thinks he is the boss of the party, the party has suffered because of his arrogant behaviour. He is not a true Congressman. Many people have this view of him but don't express it: K. B. Koliwad,Outgoing Karnataka Assembly Speaker and Congress leader on Siddaramaiah <a href="https://t.co/MLGVY7t7Lv">pic.twitter.com/MLGVY7t7Lv</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996745006705557505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>A joint legislature party meeting of Congress and JD(S) MLAs is scheduled at a hotel here later today, following which Congress leaders are likely to be shifted to a resort on the outskirts of the city, the sources said, adding that JD(S)was expected to make a similar move.</p>

<p>In the May 12 polls, BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three.</p>

<p>Alleging that BJP was trying to poach Congress MLAs, Reddy said "they had done it in the past, they are trying to do it again, but they will not succeed... We are all together and will stay together."</p>

<p>"BJP has contacted five or six of our MLAs. They raised their hands when asked during the meeting today," he added.</p>

<p>Reddy also said the Congress legislature party leader was not elected at the meeting, which discussed the government formation exercise. "We have signed a letter extending our support to Kumaraswamy as chief minister," he said.&nbsp;</p>


The 69-year-old leader received flak from several senior party MLAs, who held him responsible for the Congress' performance, citing his complete authority in the selection of candidates and the Lingayat issue

Outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah turned "emotional" at a meeting of the party's new legislators on Wednesday while speaking on Congress' defeat in the assembly polls even as senior leaders blamed him for the result, news agency PTI reported quoting the party sources. The 69-year-old leader received flak from several senior party MLAs, who held him responsible for the Congress' performance, citing his complete authority in the selection of candidates and the Lingayat issue, they said. Meanwhile, Home Minister in the outgoing government Ramalinga Reddy said most of the MLAs were present at the meeting today except "three or four " who were on their way, but all were in touch". Claiming that 117 MLAs were on their side, he said "despite this, if the Governor does not invite us, we will decide how to go further...We may also parade our strength." Party sources aware of the developments said Siddaramaiah "kind of got emotional" as he spoke during the legislature party meeting of the Congress' loss despite his government's "good developmental works". Siddaramaiah is also said to have cited "polarisation" as one of the factors that affected the party's prospects in the May 12 election. The sources said 73 legislators, including one independent MLA, were present at the meet. Six MLAs who were absent were in touch with party leaders over the phone, they said according to PTI. He thinks he is the boss of the party, the party has suffered because of his arrogant behaviour. He is not a true Congressman. Many people have this view of him but don't express it: K. B. Koliwad,Outgoing Karnataka Assembly Speaker and Congress leader on Siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/MLGVY7t7Lv — ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2018 × A joint legislature party meeting of Congress and JD(S) MLAs is scheduled at a hotel here later today, following which Congress leaders are likely to be shifted to a resort on the outskirts of the city, the sources said, adding that JD(S)was expected to make a similar move. In the May 12 polls, BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three. Alleging that BJP was trying to poach Congress MLAs, Reddy said "they had done it in the past, they are trying to do it again, but they will not succeed... We are all together and will stay together." "BJP has contacted five or six of our MLAs. They raised their hands when asked during the meeting today," he added. Reddy also said the Congress legislature party leader was not elected at the meeting, which discussed the government formation exercise. "We have signed a letter extending our support to Kumaraswamy as chief minister," he said.

Siddaramaiah gets emotional at MLAs' meet, senior leaders blame him for defeat

<p>The Congress is likely to move court if Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala does not invite the JD(S)-Congress combine to form a government going by tradition and in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions, news agency PTI reported quoting party sources.</p>

<p>The party is preparing the ground to move court in case of a negative response from the Raj Bhavan, party insiders said as reports came in of its MLAs in the southern state being taken to the governor in a show of strength.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have staked our claim for formation of a government as we have the numbers as also the total vote share of over 56 per cent," added a senior party leader.</p>

<p>"All options remain open to the Congress," the party's communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said when asked what the party would do if the governor invited the BJP to form government.</p>

<p>He said the governor is expected to listen to the mandate of the people.</p>

<p>Yesterday's results in Karnataka threw a fractured verdict with no party getting a simple majority.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP emerged the single largest party with 104 seats but fell short of the half-way mark of 112.</p>

<p>The Congress-JD(S) combine together got 115 seats, moving quickly even as the counting of votes was underway yesterday and requested the governor to allow the formation of a JD(S)-led government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP also staked its claim with its chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa meeting the governor twice since yesterday evening when the results were declared.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress, which has also met the governor twice, has cited past precedent set by the BJP in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya to support its claim that post poll alliance partners can be called to form a government.</p>

<p>"The governor has no choice but to invite the JD(S)-Congress coalition which has a clear majority to form the government in the state," Surjewala said, citing constitutional and legal provisions.</p>

<p>Amid hectic jockeying over government formation in Karnataka, the JD(S)-Congress combine's chief ministerial candidate H D Kumaraswamy today claimed the BJP offered his MLAs Rs 100 crore in bribes to break away and back the BJP in government formation, a charge rejected by the saffron party.&nbsp;</p>


The party is preparing the ground to move court in case of a negative response from the Raj Bhavan, party insiders said as reports came in of its MLAs in the southern state being taken to the governor in a show of strength.

The Congress is likely to move court if Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala does not invite the JD(S)-Congress combine to form a government going by tradition and in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions, news agency PTI reported quoting party sources. The party is preparing the ground to move court in case of a negative response from the Raj Bhavan, party insiders said as reports came in of its MLAs in the southern state being taken to the governor in a show of strength. "We have staked our claim for formation of a government as we have the numbers as also the total vote share of over 56 per cent," added a senior party leader. "All options remain open to the Congress," the party's communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said when asked what the party would do if the governor invited the BJP to form government. He said the governor is expected to listen to the mandate of the people. Yesterday's results in Karnataka threw a fractured verdict with no party getting a simple majority. The BJP emerged the single largest party with 104 seats but fell short of the half-way mark of 112. The Congress-JD(S) combine together got 115 seats, moving quickly even as the counting of votes was underway yesterday and requested the governor to allow the formation of a JD(S)-led government. The BJP also staked its claim with its chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa meeting the governor twice since yesterday evening when the results were declared. The Congress, which has also met the governor twice, has cited past precedent set by the BJP in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya to support its claim that post poll alliance partners can be called to form a government. "The governor has no choice but to invite the JD(S)-Congress coalition which has a clear majority to form the government in the state," Surjewala said, citing constitutional and legal provisions. Amid hectic jockeying over government formation in Karnataka, the JD(S)-Congress combine's chief ministerial candidate H D Kumaraswamy today claimed the BJP offered his MLAs Rs 100 crore in bribes to break away and back the BJP in government formation, a charge rejected by the saffron party.

Congress may move court if not invited to form govt in Karnataka

<p>The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy alleged Wednesday that his MLAs are being offered Rs 100 crore each to switch sides.&nbsp</p>

<p>He added that he was not making his claim "loosely".&nbsp</p>

<p>"JD(S) MLAs are being offered Rs 100 crore each. Where is this black money coming from? They are supposedly the servers of poor people and they are offering money today. Where are the income tax officials?" Kumaraswamy said.&nbsp</p>

<p>Also read: BJP trying to poach MLAs, claim Karnataka Congress frontrunners</p>

<p>Karnataka, and the rest of the country, is at the moment in the grip of fevered speculation over who will form the next government there.&nbsp</p>

<p>The Karnataka vote, which was counted yesterday, ended with the BJP emerging as the single largest party.&nbsp</p>

<p>The party won 104 seats, the Congress won 78, the JD(S) won 37, its pre-poll ally the BSP won 1, while 2 seats were won by Others.&nbsp</p>

<p>Karnataka has 224 assembly seats but voting was held for 222. (Polling was postponed in two seats.) The halfway mark then is 111, with a party needing 112 seats for a simple majority.&nbsp</p>

<p>The BJP is short by 8 seats, while the JD(S)-Congress combine (including the BSP) has 116 seats.&nbsp</p>

<p>Right after Kumaraswamy made his allegation, he added: "If you try to poach one from ours, we'll do the same and take double from you."&nbsp</p>

<p>"Forget 'Operation Kamal' being successful, there are people who are ready to leave BJP and come with us. If you try to poach one from ours, we'll do the same and take double from you. I'm also telling the Governor to not take any decision which encourages horse-trading," he added.&nbsp</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have been offered from both sides. I am not saying this loosely. There's a black spot on my father's career because of my decision to go with the BJP in 2004 & 2005. So God has given me opportunity to remove this black spot. So I am going with Congress: HD Kuamaraswamy, JD(S) <a href="https://t.co/4yFGlNEioZ">pic.twitter.com/4yFGlNEioZ</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996647593332658178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The BJP's Yeddyurappa met Governor Vajubhai Vala Wednesday morning, and urged Vala to invite him to form a government.&nbsp</p>

<p>Kumaraswamy meanwhile said Wednesday that he too will be meeting the governor soon.&nbsp</p>

<p>Both of them had met the governor yesterday as well.&nbsp</p>

<p>Everybody of course is now watching and waiting to see what the governor does next, and whom he invites to form the government.&nbsp</p>

<p>&nbsp</p>

<p>&nbsp</p>


He added that he was not making his claim 'loosely'. A JD(S)-Congress combine is hoping to form the next government in Karanataka, as is the BJP

The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy alleged Wednesday that his MLAs are being offered Rs 100 crore each to switch sides. He added that he was not making his claim "loosely". "JD(S) MLAs are being offered Rs 100 crore each. Where is this black money coming from? They are supposedly the servers of poor people and they are offering money today. Where are the income tax officials?" Kumaraswamy said. Also read: BJP trying to poach MLAs, claim Karnataka Congress frontrunners Karnataka, and the rest of the country, is at the moment in the grip of fevered speculation over who will form the next government there. The Karnataka vote, which was counted yesterday, ended with the BJP emerging as the single largest party. The party won 104 seats, the Congress won 78, the JD(S) won 37, its pre-poll ally the BSP won 1, while 2 seats were won by Others. Karnataka has 224 assembly seats but voting was held for 222. (Polling was postponed in two seats.) The halfway mark then is 111, with a party needing 112 seats for a simple majority. The BJP is short by 8 seats, while the JD(S)-Congress combine (including the BSP) has 116 seats. Right after Kumaraswamy made his allegation, he added: "If you try to poach one from ours, we'll do the same and take double from you." "Forget 'Operation Kamal' being successful, there are people who are ready to leave BJP and come with us. If you try to poach one from ours, we'll do the same and take double from you. I'm also telling the Governor to not take any decision which encourages horse-trading," he added. I have been offered from both sides. I am not saying this loosely. There's a black spot on my father's career because of my decision to go with the BJP in 2004 & 2005. So God has given me opportunity to remove this black spot. So I am going with Congress: HD Kuamaraswamy, JD(S) pic.twitter.com/4yFGlNEioZ — ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2018 × The BJP's Yeddyurappa met Governor Vajubhai Vala Wednesday morning, and urged Vala to invite him to form a government. Kumaraswamy meanwhile said Wednesday that he too will be meeting the governor soon. Both of them had met the governor yesterday as well. Everybody of course is now watching and waiting to see what the governor does next, and whom he invites to form the government.

'JD(S) MLAs being offered Rs 100 crore each,' alleges Kumaraswamy

<p>Congress-JD(S) chief ministerial candidate H D Kumaraswamy confirmed that his party would ally with the Congress Party to put forth the formation of the government in Karnataka.</p>

<p>"We have already decided to go with Congress. That's the reason we called for the JD (S) legislature party meeting. There is no question of taking any other decision," he told reporters here.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, another party member claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was approaching JD(S) MLAs.</p>

<p>"I don't know what they (BJP) are offering, but they are trying to call our people. Our party people are not responding. We are altogether no one can touch our party. Our MLAs are loyal to the party," JD(S) leader Saravana told reporters here.</p>

<p>"JD(S) MLAs are being offered Rs 100 crore each. Where is this black money coming from? They are supposedly the servers of poor people and they are offering money today. Where are the income tax officials?," said HD Kumaraswamy.</p>

<p>Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the party had a preliminary telephonic talk with both JD-S chief and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and his son and former Chief Minister. H.D. Kumaraswamy over government formation.</p>

<p>Results of the Karnataka Assembly polls announced on Tuesday evening showed that the BJP won 104 seats, emerging as the single largest party, while the Congress and JD(S) bagged 78 and 37 seats, respectively.</p>

<p>Soon after, the Congress announced that it would support the JD (S), taking their total seat share to 117, thus resulting in a fractured mandate.</p>

<p>As the results of the poll in the state have left the assembly in hung, the final decision will be taken by the Governor, Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala.</p>

<p>On a related note, JD(S) MLAs have gathered to attend the legislative party meeting, which is presently underway.</p>

<p>However, two JD(S) MLAs, namely Raja Venkatappa Nayaka and Venkata Rao Nadagouda, are missing from the meeting.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


Results of the Karnataka Assembly polls announced on Tuesday evening showed that the BJP won 104 seats, emerging as the single largest party, while the Congress and JD(S) bagged 78 and 37 seats, respectively.

Congress-JD(S) chief ministerial candidate H D Kumaraswamy confirmed that his party would ally with the Congress Party to put forth the formation of the government in Karnataka. "We have already decided to go with Congress. That's the reason we called for the JD (S) legislature party meeting. There is no question of taking any other decision," he told reporters here. Meanwhile, another party member claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was approaching JD(S) MLAs. "I don't know what they (BJP) are offering, but they are trying to call our people. Our party people are not responding. We are altogether no one can touch our party. Our MLAs are loyal to the party," JD(S) leader Saravana told reporters here. "JD(S) MLAs are being offered Rs 100 crore each. Where is this black money coming from? They are supposedly the servers of poor people and they are offering money today. Where are the income tax officials?," said HD Kumaraswamy. Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the party had a preliminary telephonic talk with both JD-S chief and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and his son and former Chief Minister. H.D. Kumaraswamy over government formation. Results of the Karnataka Assembly polls announced on Tuesday evening showed that the BJP won 104 seats, emerging as the single largest party, while the Congress and JD(S) bagged 78 and 37 seats, respectively. Soon after, the Congress announced that it would support the JD (S), taking their total seat share to 117, thus resulting in a fractured mandate. As the results of the poll in the state have left the assembly in hung, the final decision will be taken by the Governor, Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala. On a related note, JD(S) MLAs have gathered to attend the legislative party meeting, which is presently underway. However, two JD(S) MLAs, namely Raja Venkatappa Nayaka and Venkata Rao Nadagouda, are missing from the meeting. (With inputs from ANI)

No doubts over alliance with Congress, says Kumaraswamy

<p>Now that it is clear that the Congress will fall short of majority in Karnataka, the BJP has already taken to streets in full rigor while celebrating its&nbsp;win.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The counting of votes began on Tuesday morning for the recently concluded Karnataka elections and as per latest official trend, BJP leads in 113 constituencies while Congress in 67. JD(S) ahead in 40 seats.</p>

<p>Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was on Tuesday trailing in both the constituencies where he contested, officials said.</p>

<p>The Congress leader, who had contested successfully from Chamundeshwari constituency in the 2013 Assembly elections, was way behind G.T Deve Gowda of the Janata Dal-Secular by over 13,000 votes, Election Commission officials said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While BJP chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa leads in Shikaripura by over 9,000 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also, party leader Mallikarjun Kharge said on Tuesday that an alliance with the&nbsp;Janata Dal-Secular&nbsp;or JDS was possible.&nbsp;He said he will discuss the possibility of an alliance with HD Deve Gowda's party with the high command.</p>

<p><strong><em><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-karnataka-election-results-counting-underway-as-bjp-congress-wait-for-results-136866">Watch the live election&nbsp;updates here</a></em></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP workers celebrate outside party office in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> as trends show the party is set to win <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElectionResults2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElectionResults2018</a>. <a href="https://t.co/uOznAJ6A7E">pic.twitter.com/uOznAJ6A7E</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996266790547214336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Several party leaders and ministers took to Twitter to congratulate and express their views on the Karnataka election results while some conveyed delight others took no chance to lash out.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations to the winners of the Karnataka elections. For those who lost, fight back. If Congress had gone into an alliance with the JD(S), the result would have been different. Very different</p>
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/MamataOfficial/status/996265476094279680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rahul Gandhi did his best, but it is we who have lost the elections. We, the local leadership, should have en-cashed it in a proper way & because of which we lost it: DK Shivkumar, Karnataka Minister on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/mTUCbrfO0V">pic.twitter.com/mTUCbrfO0V</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">People of Karnataka want good governance, that is why they have chosen BJP. This is a big victory for the party. Congress is losing state after state & we are winning state after state: Prakash Javadekar, BJP Karnataka in-charge <a href="https://t.co/ifgr278QRe">pic.twitter.com/ifgr278QRe</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996271826039857152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am saying it from day 1, there is no political party in India which has not raised questions on EVMs, even BJP has done it in the past. Now when all parties are doubting EVMs then what problem does BJP have in conducting polls through ballot?: Mohan Prakash,Congress <a href="https://t.co/t70xtsaHoX">pic.twitter.com/t70xtsaHoX</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996265295797891072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">People have rejected Siddaramaiah. He lost because of his attitude, because of attacking everyone & because of his loose talk: GT Devegowda, JD(S) candidate who is leading over Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari by 17000 votes. <a href="https://t.co/6Sw82tiBgs">pic.twitter.com/6Sw82tiBgs</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996263538153865216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is a historic win for BJP. I want to thank all the people of Karnataka for voting for us. Ab desh mein Congress khojo abhiyan chalega, kahaan rahegi pata nahi: Raman Singh, CM of Chhattisgarh. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/Fc9tao6paN">pic.twitter.com/Fc9tao6paN</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996259820465405953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The counting of votes began on Tuesday morning for the recently concluded Karnataka elections and as per latest official trend, BJP leads in 113 constituencies while Congress in 67. JD(S) ahead in 40 seats

Now that it is clear that the Congress will fall short of majority in Karnataka, the BJP has already taken to streets in full rigor while celebrating its win. The counting of votes began on Tuesday morning for the recently concluded Karnataka elections and as per latest official trend, BJP leads in 113 constituencies while Congress in 67. JD(S) ahead in 40 seats. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was on Tuesday trailing in both the constituencies where he contested, officials said. The Congress leader, who had contested successfully from Chamundeshwari constituency in the 2013 Assembly elections, was way behind G.T Deve Gowda of the Janata Dal-Secular by over 13,000 votes, Election Commission officials said. While BJP chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa leads in Shikaripura by over 9,000 votes. Also, party leader Mallikarjun Kharge said on Tuesday that an alliance with the Janata Dal-Secular or JDS was possible. He said he will discuss the possibility of an alliance with HD Deve Gowda's party with the high command. Watch the live election updates here BJP workers celebrate outside party office in #Delhi as trends show the party is set to win #KarnatakaElectionResults2018. pic.twitter.com/uOznAJ6A7E — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × Several party leaders and ministers took to Twitter to congratulate and express their views on the Karnataka election results while some conveyed delight others took no chance to lash out. Congratulations to the winners of the Karnataka elections. For those who lost, fight back. If Congress had gone into an alliance with the JD(S), the result would have been different. Very different — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 15, 2018 × Rahul Gandhi did his best, but it is we who have lost the elections. We, the local leadership, should have en-cashed it in a proper way & because of which we lost it: DK Shivkumar, Karnataka Minister on #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/mTUCbrfO0V — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × People of Karnataka want good governance, that is why they have chosen BJP. This is a big victory for the party. Congress is losing state after state & we are winning state after state: Prakash Javadekar, BJP Karnataka in-charge pic.twitter.com/ifgr278QRe — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × I am saying it from day 1, there is no political party in India which has not raised questions on EVMs, even BJP has done it in the past. Now when all parties are doubting EVMs then what problem does BJP have in conducting polls through ballot?: Mohan Prakash,Congress pic.twitter.com/t70xtsaHoX — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × People have rejected Siddaramaiah. He lost because of his attitude, because of attacking everyone & because of his loose talk: GT Devegowda, JD(S) candidate who is leading over Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari by 17000 votes. pic.twitter.com/6Sw82tiBgs — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × This is a historic win for BJP. I want to thank all the people of Karnataka for voting for us. Ab desh mein Congress khojo abhiyan chalega, kahaan rahegi pata nahi: Raman Singh, CM of Chhattisgarh. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/Fc9tao6paN — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 ×

Watch: BJP leaders hail victory, Congress disappointed in Karnataka election

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