Karnataka Election Results 2023: The vote counting has ended for the Karnataka Assembly elections on Saturday, May 13, 2023. According to the exit poll results of the Karnataka Assembly elections 2023, the state might have a hung assembly with Congress as the single largest party, followed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Karnataka Election Results 2023: The vote counting has ended for the Karnataka Assembly elections on Saturday, May 13, 2023. According to the exit poll results of the Karnataka Assembly elections 2023, the state might have a hung assembly with Congress as the single largest party, followed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kumaraswamy said that JD(S) was open to the party that offers them potential lifelines ahead of the vote counting on Saturday, May 13. However, Indian National Congress has won the elections with 135 seats, followed by BJP with 66 seats. Janata Dal Secular only won 19 seats. Karnataka Election Results 2023: JD(S) played a key role in previous polls Janata Dal-Secular played an important role in forming the government in the Karnataka Assembly elections in 2018, as the state witnessed a hung assembly. If we look at JD(S)'s past choice, the party chose Congress as an ally. However, many JD(S) MLAs left the alliance to join Bharatiya Janata Party. The exit poll results of 2023 indicate a hung assembly with Congress as the single largest party. It has raised the question of Janata Dal Secular's choice in these elections. On Wednesday, Karnataka Congress Chief DK Shivakumar ruled out a post-poll deal with the JDS. He said, "There is no chance of an alliance with JDS. We will form a government of our own. He also showed confidence in the former chief minister Siddaramaiah's prediction of Congress winning 130 to 150 seats. However, JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy said the 'kingmaker' party was prepared for a post-poll alliance with either Congress or BJP. Thus, JD(S) has not confirmed their choice for the coalition in the Karnataka Assembly elections 2023. As the kingmaker, JD(S) is likely to choose the party with the highest number of seats post-counting. ALSO READ | Karnataka Election Results 2023: Full list of Congress winning candidates with constituencies Karnataka Elections 2023: More about Janata Dal Secular Janata Dal-Secular is a strong regional party in Karnataka, led by Deve Gowda and his son Kumaraswamy. It has come to power in Karnataka twice. However, JD(S) has been out of office since 2019. The 'kingmaker' party expected over 30 seats in the Karnataka Assembly elections in 2023. According to some reports, Kumaraswamy will negotiate to become the chief minister of Karnataka in place of the party's support. JD(S) leaders claimed that Congress and BJP have reached out to them for support. However, both parties have denied any such claim. All eyes were on JD(S) as the vote counting began. But Congress didn't give them a chance to choose by winning the elections by majority. ALSO READ | Karnataka Election Results 2023 LIVE: Check full list of constituency-wise winners of BJP, Congress and JDS Karnataka Election Results 2023: Janata Dal Secular Wins 19 Seats Janata Dal Secular has won their first seat in the Karnataka Assembly elections 2023. MR Manjunath won the seat from Hanur. As per the latest figures by ECI, JD(S) is likely to win 21 seats. Here is the list of winners so far. Karnataka Election Results 2023: JD(S) Full List of Winners According to the latest figures by ECI, Janata Dal Secular is leading in Maddur. DC Thammanna is the leading candidate of JDS from Maddur. He's 171 votes ahead of Indian National Congress's Udaya KM. Constituency Leading Candidate Leading Party Status Arkalgud A. MANJU JDS Result Declared Chamundeshwari G. T. DEVEGOWDA JDS Result Declared Channapatna H.D. KUMARASWAMY JDS Result Declared Chikkanayakanahalli C B SURESH BAABU JDS Result Declared Devadurga Karemma JDS Result Declared Devar Hippargi BHIMANAGOUDA (RAJUGOUDA) BASANAGOUDA PATIL JDS Result Declared Gurmitkal SHARANA GOWDA KANDAKUR JDS Result Declared Hagaribommanahalli Nemarajanaik.K JDS Result Declared Hanur M.R. MANJUNATH JDS Result Declared Hassan Swaroop Prakash JDS Result Declared Holenarasipur H.D. REVANNA JDS Result Declared Hunsur G.D. HARISH GOWDA JDS Result Declared Krishnarajpet H.T.MANJU JDS Result Declared Kumta SURAJ NAIK SONI JDS Result Declared Mulbagal SAMRUDDHI V. MANJUNATH JDS Result Declared Shimoga Rural SHARADA PURYANAIK JDS Result Declared Shravanabelagola C.N. BALAKRISHNA JDS Result Declared Sidlaghatta B.N. RAVI KUMAR JDS Result Declared Srinivaspur G.K. VENKATASHIVAREDDY JDS Result Declared Tumkur City N GOVINDARAJU JDS Result Declared Turuvekere M.T.KRISHNAPPA JDS Result Declared For More Updates on Karnataka Election Results 2023 | Karnataka Elections Result 2023 Live Updates: Counting of votes for 224 constituencies has begun

Karnataka Election Results 2023: Winners declared! Check full list of JD(S) winners with constituencies

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-confident-of-winning-all-15-seats-in-karnataka-bypolls-deputy-cm-ashwath-narayan-263908">Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) </a>is misusing the Constitution and they will be taught a lesson in the upcoming <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-congress-declares-names-of-six-candidates-contesting-assembly-by-polls-262661">Karnataka bypolls</a>.

"BJP is misusing the Constitution. So let us see what happens next (about Congress alliance with JDS). People are watching everything how the power is being misused at the state and central levels," Kharge told reporters at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office here.

"It is important to teach BJP a lesson and we have to win all 15 seats. Indicating that the party was not averse to ally with JD(S), he said, "There are sources saying that JDS and Congress will come together to form the government after the bypoll results."

Kharge further said that all <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sc-upholds-disqualification-of-rebel-mlas-permits-them-to-contest-bypolls-261738">disqualified MLAs </a>will lose in Karnataka as they cheated the ideology and party and people are really angry on them. He also accused the BJP of using nefarious means to win the elections.

"BJP is distributing money to the voters which is dangerous to democracy. At present, BJP is putting pressure even on voters. If they don't succeed through these means then they raise religious things to fight elections," he said.

Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of neglecting Karnataka and of being impervious to the state's concerns.

"The local leadership of BJP promised of bringing funds from the Centre if their government came to power in Karnataka but they brought nothing even after such a huge flood. Modi neither spoke about Karnataka nor did he visit the state," he said.

"In my opinion Modi hates Karnataka, I don`t know what is the reason. Does he hate Karnataka because he hates Yediyurappa? He never helps Karnataka due to reasons unknown to us," he added.

Speaking on Maharashtra politics, Kharge said: "We formed the government with Shiv Sena even when our President was not in favour of it. But suggestions by MLAs, other parties and leftist parties suggested us to keep BJP away from the power which is why we formed the government with NCP and Shiv Sena. We just wanted to keep the fascist party away."

The by-elections for 15 out of 17 seats in Karnataka are slated to be held on December 5. The results will be declared on December 9.&nbsp;

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is misusing the Constitution and they will be taught a lesson in the upcoming Karnataka bypolls.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is misusing the Constitution and they will be taught a lesson in the upcoming Karnataka bypolls. "BJP is misusing the Constitution. So let us see what happens next (about Congress alliance with JDS). People are watching everything how the power is being misused at the state and central levels," Kharge told reporters at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office here. "It is important to teach BJP a lesson and we have to win all 15 seats. Indicating that the party was not averse to ally with JD(S), he said, "There are sources saying that JDS and Congress will come together to form the government after the bypoll results." Kharge further said that all disqualified MLAs will lose in Karnataka as they cheated the ideology and party and people are really angry on them. He also accused the BJP of using nefarious means to win the elections. "BJP is distributing money to the voters which is dangerous to democracy. At present, BJP is putting pressure even on voters. If they don't succeed through these means then they raise religious things to fight elections," he said. Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of neglecting Karnataka and of being impervious to the state's concerns. "The local leadership of BJP promised of bringing funds from the Centre if their government came to power in Karnataka but they brought nothing even after such a huge flood. Modi neither spoke about Karnataka nor did he visit the state," he said. "In my opinion Modi hates Karnataka, I don`t know what is the reason. Does he hate Karnataka because he hates Yediyurappa? He never helps Karnataka due to reasons unknown to us," he added. Speaking on Maharashtra politics, Kharge said: "We formed the government with Shiv Sena even when our President was not in favour of it. But suggestions by MLAs, other parties and leftist parties suggested us to keep BJP away from the power which is why we formed the government with NCP and Shiv Sena. We just wanted to keep the fascist party away." The by-elections for 15 out of 17 seats in Karnataka are slated to be held on December 5. The results will be declared on December 9.

BJP misusing Constitution, will be taught lesson in Karnataka bypolls: Mallikarjun Kharge

Cases have been filed against former Karnataka chief ministers <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-kumaraswamy-visits-flood-affected-belagavi-interacts-with-locals-258367">HD Kumaraswamy </a>and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/siddaramaiah-tears-into-karnataka-minister-for-claiming-state-has-no-funds-for-flood-victims-258296">Siddaramaiah</a>, former ministers G Parmeshwara and DK Shivakumar, and ex-Bengaluru city police commissioner Suneel Kumar under several Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sedition charge, for allegedly obstructing I-T officials from discharging their duties.

Acting on a private complaint, a local court directed the Bengaluru police to file the FIR. Commercial Street police station has filed the case under several Sections of the IPC including 217, 176, 121, 177, 506, 153A, 503, 414, 149, 143, 505(2), 124A, 353, 409, 350, 405, 417, 120(A), 416, 171C, 119, 141, 142 and 499.

Mallikarjuna, a social activist from Tumkur had alleged that on March 27, the then chief minister HD Kumaraswamy had issued statements to the media that he had received information that I-T officials were preparing to raid houses belonging to some JD(S) leaders.

On March 28, they held a protest opposing the raids on JD(S) and Congress leaders. This amounts to obstructing I-T officials from discharging their duties and this also led to major traffic snarls in the area. The police who were present at the spot did not do anything to stop the protest, the activist stated.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Cases have been filed against former Karnataka chief ministers HD Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah, former ministers G Parmeshwara and DK Shivakumar, and ex-Bengaluru city police commissioner Suneel Kumar under several Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sedition charge, for allegedly obstructing I-T officials from discharging their duties.

Cases have been filed against former Karnataka chief ministers HD Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah, former ministers G Parmeshwara and DK Shivakumar, and ex-Bengaluru city police commissioner Suneel Kumar under several Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sedition charge, for allegedly obstructing I-T officials from discharging their duties. Acting on a private complaint, a local court directed the Bengaluru police to file the FIR. Commercial Street police station has filed the case under several Sections of the IPC including 217, 176, 121, 177, 506, 153A, 503, 414, 149, 143, 505(2), 124A, 353, 409, 350, 405, 417, 120(A), 416, 171C, 119, 141, 142 and 499. Mallikarjuna, a social activist from Tumkur had alleged that on March 27, the then chief minister HD Kumaraswamy had issued statements to the media that he had received information that I-T officials were preparing to raid houses belonging to some JD(S) leaders. On March 28, they held a protest opposing the raids on JD(S) and Congress leaders. This amounts to obstructing I-T officials from discharging their duties and this also led to major traffic snarls in the area. The police who were present at the spot did not do anything to stop the protest, the activist stated.

Karnataka: Siddaramaiah, HD Kumaraswamy booked for opposing IT raids, sedition

A day after Supreme Court's Karnataka verdict,15 out of 17 disqualified rebel MLAs, including those from Congress and JD(S) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday in the presence of Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa here.

Out of the 17 disqualified MLAs, MTB Nagaraj is already a member of the BJP, while Roshan Baig has been left out. The top court has allowed 17 disqualified rebel MLAs to contest in the upcoming bypolls which are slated to be held on December 5.

Baig did not attend the joining program held at the party office here. According to sources, he was not allowed to take membership of BJP due to the IMA Ponzi scam and allegations against him in RSS worker Rudresh's murder case.

"We didn't come out of the coalition government just to save the state from evil politics. We came out of Congress and JD(S) and joined BJP, it's not anti-defection, it's political polarisation. We will stand with BJP leaders and we will work along with them as they have given us a chance to work along with them. I thank you all including Prime Minister, Home Minister and BJP working president JP Nadda," said H Vishwanath, one of the 17 disqualified MLAs.

The Supreme Court had on Wednesday upheld the decision of the then Karnataka speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to disqualify 17 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs under the anti-defection law but said that they can contest the upcoming by-elections in the state.

The rebel legislators were disqualified by the then speaker KR Ramesh Kumar in July earlier this year under the anti-defection law after they tendered their resignation. They were also barred from contesting polls for the duration of the current assembly, which is slated to end in 2023. The move led to the collapse of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government, paving way for BJP to stake claim to form a new government in the state.

The disgruntled MLAs then moved the apex court challenging their disqualification. They sought quashing of the order passed by the Speaker and prohibition imposed on them to contest elections. The matter was reserved by the court on October 25. The elections for 15 out of 17 seats are slated to be held on December 5.&nbsp;

A day after Supreme Court's Karnataka verdict,15 out of 17 disqualified rebel MLAs, including those from Congress and JD(S) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday in the presence of Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa here.

A day after Supreme Court's Karnataka verdict,15 out of 17 disqualified rebel MLAs, including those from Congress and JD(S) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday in the presence of Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa here. Out of the 17 disqualified MLAs, MTB Nagaraj is already a member of the BJP, while Roshan Baig has been left out. The top court has allowed 17 disqualified rebel MLAs to contest in the upcoming bypolls which are slated to be held on December 5. Baig did not attend the joining program held at the party office here. According to sources, he was not allowed to take membership of BJP due to the IMA Ponzi scam and allegations against him in RSS worker Rudresh's murder case. "We didn't come out of the coalition government just to save the state from evil politics. We came out of Congress and JD(S) and joined BJP, it's not anti-defection, it's political polarisation. We will stand with BJP leaders and we will work along with them as they have given us a chance to work along with them. I thank you all including Prime Minister, Home Minister and BJP working president JP Nadda," said H Vishwanath, one of the 17 disqualified MLAs. The Supreme Court had on Wednesday upheld the decision of the then Karnataka speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to disqualify 17 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs under the anti-defection law but said that they can contest the upcoming by-elections in the state. The rebel legislators were disqualified by the then speaker KR Ramesh Kumar in July earlier this year under the anti-defection law after they tendered their resignation. They were also barred from contesting polls for the duration of the current assembly, which is slated to end in 2023. The move led to the collapse of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government, paving way for BJP to stake claim to form a new government in the state. The disgruntled MLAs then moved the apex court challenging their disqualification. They sought quashing of the order passed by the Speaker and prohibition imposed on them to contest elections. The matter was reserved by the court on October 25. The elections for 15 out of 17 seats are slated to be held on December 5.

15 disqualified Karnataka MLAs join BJP

A day after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sc-upholds-disqualification-of-rebel-mlas-permits-them-to-contest-bypolls-261738">Supreme Court</a> permitted the disqualified Congress and JD(S) MLAs to contest the impending&nbsp; Karnataka bypolls on December 5, the Bharatiya Janata Party has released an official statement mentioning that 16 out of 17 disqualified MLAs in the state are all set to join the ruling&nbsp;BJP on Thursday, which excludes the name of&nbsp;Roshan Baig.

On Wednesday, sources shared that the BJP is open to the prospect of fielding all 17 disqualified Karnataka MLAs for the upcoming bypolls in the state. The top leadership, including chief Amit Shah and working president JP Nadda, have given their go-ahead for fielding the disqualified MLAs from their erstwhile seats, sources said.

The decision was reportedly taken at a high-level meeting held today, in which senior state leaders were also present. The by-polls in the state will be held on 15 out of the 17 seats on December 5. According to sources,&nbsp;Roshan Baig's name could not be included in BJP till he gets a clean chit in IMA Ponzi scam.

In the Karnataka elections, BJP had emerged as the largest party with 105 seats but failed to secure a majority in the 225-members assembly. The party is expecting that the by-polls on the 15 seats will boost their tally in the state. The 14-month old Congress-JD(S) coalition government, led by Kumaraswamy collapsed in July this year following a series of resignations from MLAs paving way for the BJP, which was the single largest party to form the government in Karnataka.

 
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A day after the Supreme Court permitted the disqualified Congress and JD(S) MLAs to contest the impending Karnataka bypolls on December 5, the Bharatiya Janata Party has released an official statement mentioning that 16 out of 17 disqualified MLAs in the state are all set to join the ruling BJP on Thursday, which excludes the name of Roshan Baig.

A day after the Supreme Court permitted the disqualified Congress and JD(S) MLAs to contest the impending Karnataka bypolls on December 5, the Bharatiya Janata Party has released an official statement mentioning that 16 out of 17 disqualified MLAs in the state are all set to join the ruling BJP on Thursday, which excludes the name of Roshan Baig. On Wednesday, sources shared that the BJP is open to the prospect of fielding all 17 disqualified Karnataka MLAs for the upcoming bypolls in the state. The top leadership, including chief Amit Shah and working president JP Nadda, have given their go-ahead for fielding the disqualified MLAs from their erstwhile seats, sources said. The decision was reportedly taken at a high-level meeting held today, in which senior state leaders were also present. The by-polls in the state will be held on 15 out of the 17 seats on December 5. According to sources, Roshan Baig's name could not be included in BJP till he gets a clean chit in IMA Ponzi scam. In the Karnataka elections, BJP had emerged as the largest party with 105 seats but failed to secure a majority in the 225-members assembly. The party is expecting that the by-polls on the 15 seats will boost their tally in the state. The 14-month old Congress-JD(S) coalition government, led by Kumaraswamy collapsed in July this year following a series of resignations from MLAs paving way for the BJP, which was the single largest party to form the government in Karnataka.

BJP says Karnataka's 16 disqualified MLAs set to join party

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the decision of the then speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to disqualify 17 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs under the anti-defection law and said that they can contest the upcoming by-elections in the state.

"We are upholding the order of the Speaker," said Justice Ramana while reading out the judgment. The top court said that resignation does not take away the power of disqualification by the speaker. "Since we are deciding disqualification, resignation is not needed to be gone into. As such there is no doubt that disqualification has nothing to do with resignation," the court said.

The rebel legislators were disqualified by the then speaker KR Ramesh Kumar in July under the anti-defection law after they tendered their resignation. They were also barred from contesting polls for the duration of the current assembly, which is slated to end in 2023. The move had led to a fall of the Congress-JD (S) coalition government, paving way for BJP to stake claim to form a new government in the state.

The disgruntled MLAs then moved the apex court challenging their disqualification. They sought quashing of the order passed by the speaker and prohibition imposed on them to contest elections.

The matter was reserved by the court on October 25. The elections for 15 out of 17 seats are slated to be held on December 5. They were earlier scheduled to be conducted on October 21 but were deferred by the Election Commission (EC) as the petitions of disqualified MLAs were pending in the top court.

The poll body had withheld the elections for two seats -- Maski and Rajarajeshwari -- as the petitions against these Assembly constituencies are pending in the Karnataka High Court.

After their&nbsp;disqualification, the strength of the 224-member Assembly had come down to 207. This had brought down the majority mark to 104. The BJP, which helms the government in the state, has 106 MLAs in the Assembly. With the by-poll elections, the majority mark will climb to 222 and the BJP will have to win a minimum of six out of fifteen seats to keep its majority.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the decision of the then speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to disqualify 17 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs under the anti-defection law and said that they can contest the upcoming by-elections in the state.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the decision of the then speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to disqualify 17 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs under the anti-defection law and said that they can contest the upcoming by-elections in the state. "We are upholding the order of the Speaker," said Justice Ramana while reading out the judgment. The top court said that resignation does not take away the power of disqualification by the speaker. "Since we are deciding disqualification, resignation is not needed to be gone into. As such there is no doubt that disqualification has nothing to do with resignation," the court said. The rebel legislators were disqualified by the then speaker KR Ramesh Kumar in July under the anti-defection law after they tendered their resignation. They were also barred from contesting polls for the duration of the current assembly, which is slated to end in 2023. The move had led to a fall of the Congress-JD (S) coalition government, paving way for BJP to stake claim to form a new government in the state. The disgruntled MLAs then moved the apex court challenging their disqualification. They sought quashing of the order passed by the speaker and prohibition imposed on them to contest elections. The matter was reserved by the court on October 25. The elections for 15 out of 17 seats are slated to be held on December 5. They were earlier scheduled to be conducted on October 21 but were deferred by the Election Commission (EC) as the petitions of disqualified MLAs were pending in the top court. The poll body had withheld the elections for two seats -- Maski and Rajarajeshwari -- as the petitions against these Assembly constituencies are pending in the Karnataka High Court. After their disqualification, the strength of the 224-member Assembly had come down to 207. This had brought down the majority mark to 104. The BJP, which helms the government in the state, has 106 MLAs in the Assembly. With the by-poll elections, the majority mark will climb to 222 and the BJP will have to win a minimum of six out of fifteen seats to keep its majority.

SC upholds disqualification of Karnataka's rebel MLAs, permits them to contest bypolls

The political crisis in Karnataka has reached the Supreme Court. The rebel MLAs, who have decided to quit the ruling Congress-JD(S) government, have moved the top court questioning the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-assembly-speaker-writes-to-governor-asks-rebel-mlas-to-meet-him-234261">Karnataka Assembly Speaker</a> KR Ramesh Kumar's decision to reject their resignations.

The court has agreed to hear their petition on Thursday.

Kumar had rejected the resignations of eight of the 13 MLAs on Tuesday. "Out of 13 resignations, eight are not according to law. I've given them time to present themselves before me," he said on Tuesday.

The Speaker also said that he received a petition from Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramiah seeking disqualification of the dissident MLAs.

The 13-month-old Congress-JD(S) government <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kumaraswamy-government-inching-towards-minority-as-another-legislator-pulls-support-233919">slumped into crisis</a> following the resignation of 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week.

The strength of Karnataka Assembly is going to be reduced to 210 - the ruling coalition will have 104 members. With the bench strength of 105, the opposition BJP will be just one short of the majority mark.

Congress leaders have repeatedly accused the BJP and the Central government of orchestrating the current crisis in the state, a charge the BJP has denied.

The Congress-JD(S) coalition is making all efforts to protect its government which seems to have fallen short of a majority.

All the ministers from the two parties have resigned paving way for the restructuring of the state Cabinet in a bid to accommodate the dissident MLAs.

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has claimed that they will overcome the crisis.

(With inputs from agencies)

The political crisis in Karnataka has reached the Supreme Court. The rebel MLAs, who have decided to quit the ruling Congress-JD(S) government, have moved the top court questioning the Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar's decision to reject their resignations.

The political crisis in Karnataka has reached the Supreme Court. The rebel MLAs, who have decided to quit the ruling Congress-JD(S) government, have moved the top court questioning the Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar's decision to reject their resignations. The court has agreed to hear their petition on Thursday. Kumar had rejected the resignations of eight of the 13 MLAs on Tuesday. "Out of 13 resignations, eight are not according to law. I've given them time to present themselves before me," he said on Tuesday. The Speaker also said that he received a petition from Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramiah seeking disqualification of the dissident MLAs. The 13-month-old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week. The strength of Karnataka Assembly is going to be reduced to 210 - the ruling coalition will have 104 members. With the bench strength of 105, the opposition BJP will be just one short of the majority mark. Congress leaders have repeatedly accused the BJP and the Central government of orchestrating the current crisis in the state, a charge the BJP has denied. The Congress-JD(S) coalition is making all efforts to protect its government which seems to have fallen short of a majority. All the ministers from the two parties have resigned paving way for the restructuring of the state Cabinet in a bid to accommodate the dissident MLAs. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has claimed that they will overcome the crisis. (With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka crisis: Rebel legislators knock Supreme Court's door

Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) has emerged as the biggest surprise in the run-up to this year's Assembly elections in Karnataka. A party which was out of the political depth for more than a decade is suddenly in news. The reason for this is the support it receives from the Vokkaligas, the traditional supporters of the JD(S) and a dominant caste in the South Karnataka region.

The ruling Congress is also aware of the Vokkaliga consolidation around JD(S). Congress insiders says that the strong backward caste, Dalit and Muslim polarisation, coupled with lack of any outreach towards the community, has led to Vokkaligas to rally around JD(S) in greater gusto. This community till today has given five chief ministers to the state.

The Vokkaligas hold sway in 10 districts of Karnataka like Mandya, Hassan, Mysore, Kolar and Chikamagalur - mostly in southern part of the state.

Congress sources say that in earlier elections, a part of the Vokkaliga community voted for the other parties, but this time the consolidation around JD(S) seems to have grown even more. Even Asadudin Owaisi has declared support for JD(S). He will not be fielding candidates and would campaign for the party if required.

This makes Congress more nervous than the BJP. The BJP's Lingayat-led alliance has traditionally never received a substantial chunk of this vote which dominates the old Mysore region. Vokkaligas are dominant peasantry and form the bedrock of Deve Gowda's vote bank. In this election they seem to be rallying hard around the former Prime Minister because they feel neglected by the Congress.

The BJP on the other hand understands that better performance of JD(S) means weak performance of the Congress in South Karnataka. BJP's strength lies in North Karnataka which is further sub-divided into Bombay Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka.

Few months back, Congress president Rahul Gandhi wanted agriculture minister of Karnataka Krishna Byre Gowda - a Vokkaliga - to take over as the chief of party's Karnataka unit. Reliable sources said that Gowda wanted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the same page as he did not want to be reduced as a symbolic head leading the Congress in the state.

Apparently, the chief minister did not take much interest in the proposal. Many say that lack of outreach is a result of acrimonious parting he had with JD(S) leadership years back.

Today, Siddaramiah is the face of Kannadiga pride and Dalit-Muslim and backward caste consolidation. Congress even has the number advantage over BJP but Vokkaligas still have the potential to derail Congress's comeback campaign by denying it a simple majority. Till polling, the game is on.

While the BJP is banking on its Lingayat support, the rallying of Vokkaligas around JD(S) is making Congress nervous.

Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) has emerged as the biggest surprise in the run-up to this year's Assembly elections in Karnataka. A party which was out of the political depth for more than a decade is suddenly in news. The reason for this is the support it receives from the Vokkaligas, the traditional supporters of the JD(S) and a dominant caste in the South Karnataka region. The ruling Congress is also aware of the Vokkaliga consolidation around JD(S). Congress insiders says that the strong backward caste, Dalit and Muslim polarisation, coupled with lack of any outreach towards the community, has led to Vokkaligas to rally around JD(S) in greater gusto. This community till today has given five chief ministers to the state. The Vokkaligas hold sway in 10 districts of Karnataka like Mandya, Hassan, Mysore, Kolar and Chikamagalur - mostly in southern part of the state. Congress sources say that in earlier elections, a part of the Vokkaliga community voted for the other parties, but this time the consolidation around JD(S) seems to have grown even more. Even Asadudin Owaisi has declared support for JD(S). He will not be fielding candidates and would campaign for the party if required. This makes Congress more nervous than the BJP. The BJP's Lingayat-led alliance has traditionally never received a substantial chunk of this vote which dominates the old Mysore region. Vokkaligas are dominant peasantry and form the bedrock of Deve Gowda's vote bank. In this election they seem to be rallying hard around the former Prime Minister because they feel neglected by the Congress. The BJP on the other hand understands that better performance of JD(S) means weak performance of the Congress in South Karnataka. BJP's strength lies in North Karnataka which is further sub-divided into Bombay Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka. Few months back, Congress president Rahul Gandhi wanted agriculture minister of Karnataka Krishna Byre Gowda - a Vokkaliga - to take over as the chief of party's Karnataka unit. Reliable sources said that Gowda wanted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the same page as he did not want to be reduced as a symbolic head leading the Congress in the state. Apparently, the chief minister did not take much interest in the proposal. Many say that lack of outreach is a result of acrimonious parting he had with JD(S) leadership years back. Today, Siddaramiah is the face of Kannadiga pride and Dalit-Muslim and backward caste consolidation. Congress even has the number advantage over BJP but Vokkaligas still have the potential to derail Congress's comeback campaign by denying it a simple majority. Till polling, the game is on.

The Vokkaliga fix may complicate Congress campaign in Karnataka