<p>Veteran Congress leader&nbsp;Siddaramaiah and KPCC president D K Shivakumar were sworn in as Karnataka's new Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday (May 20)&nbsp;at Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium. G Parameshwara, K H Muniyappa, K J George, M B Patil, Satish Jarkiholi, Priyank Kharge, Ramalinga Reddy, and B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan are among the Congress MLAs who have been sworn in as Ministers in Siddaramaiah's Cabinet.</p>

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<p>The swearing-in ceremony&nbsp;was attended by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and numerous Opposition party leaders, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, and Former J&amp;K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, as per ANI reports.</p>

<p>This follows days of heated discussions in which the Congress chose Siddaramaiah as chief minister and Shivakumar as his deputy. While Siddaramaiah, 75, is a backward-class politician with over five decades of political experience and is regarded as one of the state's three remaining mass leaders, KPCC president DK Shivakumar, who is from the Vokkaliga group, is regarded as the architect of the triumph in Karnataka.</p>

<h2><strong>Congress's victory in Karnataka</strong></h2>

<p>After a 10-year absence, the Congress returned to power in Karnataka on its own strength on May 13, with victories or leads in 137 of 224 seats.</p>

<p>The party has received an overwhelming mandate from the voters. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has borne the price for "various failures." The regional party, the Janata Dal (Secular), has once again demonstrated that it is not a force to be reckoned with throughout the state.</p>

<p>Karnataka was the BJP's lone southern state. The state upheld its tradition of not re-electing a political party.</p>

<p>There might be a variety of reasons why an election is won or lost. However, some elements become apparent. For example, the ruling BJP is still a party that needs to spread across the state. The Congress, on the other hand, is thoroughly anchored in each district.</p>

<p>A swing of 2-5 percentage points is enough for the Congress to prevail over the BJP. Unlike the BJP, the Congress state leaders accepted the responsibility of guiding the party to the polls, reported Moneycontrol.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhis-bigest-cyber-fraud-doctor-duped-of-rs-45-crore-548k-via-skype-calls-594502">Delhi’s ‘biggest cyber fraud’: Doctor duped of Rs 4.5 crore ($548K) via Skype calls</a></p>

<p>DK Shivakumar, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee head, and former chief minister Siddaramaiah positioned the party brilliantly in front of the people. There was no let-up in their efforts to portray the ruling BJP as corrupt. Efforts began with the PayCM campaign months ago. The Congress didn't simply depend on its own strategy; it also enlisted the help of political organisations to boost its campaign.</p>

<p>Unlike the BJP, the Congress placed a high value on its senior Karnataka leadership. This has also contributed to the party's good mood today. The vote share of Congress has surpassed 40 per cent, a recent high. Surprisingly, the traditional Vokkaliga belt, primarily Mandya and Hassan, supported the Congress as well. The Congress has also received a lot of support over the years.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;G7 Hiroshima Meet 2023 | Modi Tells Zelenksy: Ongoing war a challenge for the whole world</strong></p>

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<p>Additionally, the corruption accusations levelled against the Basavaraj Bommai administration harmed the BJP's image. BJP state officials, including ministers, were unable to trumpet their accomplishments or explain to the public how the Narendra Modi-led administration at the Centre has benefited the people of Karnataka.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Veteran Congress leader Siddaramaiah and KPCC president D K Shivakumar were sworn in as Karnataka's new Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday (May 20) at Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

Veteran Congress leader Siddaramaiah and KPCC president D K Shivakumar were sworn in as Karnataka's new Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday (May 20) at Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium. G Parameshwara, K H Muniyappa, K J George, M B Patil, Satish Jarkiholi, Priyank Kharge, Ramalinga Reddy, and B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan are among the Congress MLAs who have been sworn in as Ministers in Siddaramaiah's Cabinet. #WATCH | Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah takes oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka in Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/S90btY2N6z — ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2023 × The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and numerous Opposition party leaders, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, and Former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, as per ANI reports. This follows days of heated discussions in which the Congress chose Siddaramaiah as chief minister and Shivakumar as his deputy. While Siddaramaiah, 75, is a backward-class politician with over five decades of political experience and is regarded as one of the state's three remaining mass leaders, KPCC president DK Shivakumar, who is from the Vokkaliga group, is regarded as the architect of the triumph in Karnataka. Congress's victory in Karnataka After a 10-year absence, the Congress returned to power in Karnataka on its own strength on May 13, with victories or leads in 137 of 224 seats. The party has received an overwhelming mandate from the voters. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has borne the price for "various failures." The regional party, the Janata Dal (Secular), has once again demonstrated that it is not a force to be reckoned with throughout the state. Karnataka was the BJP's lone southern state. The state upheld its tradition of not re-electing a political party. There might be a variety of reasons why an election is won or lost. However, some elements become apparent. For example, the ruling BJP is still a party that needs to spread across the state. The Congress, on the other hand, is thoroughly anchored in each district. A swing of 2-5 percentage points is enough for the Congress to prevail over the BJP. Unlike the BJP, the Congress state leaders accepted the responsibility of guiding the party to the polls, reported Moneycontrol. ALSO READ | Delhi’s ‘biggest cyber fraud’: Doctor duped of Rs 4.5 crore ($548K) via Skype calls DK Shivakumar, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee head, and former chief minister Siddaramaiah positioned the party brilliantly in front of the people. There was no let-up in their efforts to portray the ruling BJP as corrupt. Efforts began with the PayCM campaign months ago. The Congress didn't simply depend on its own strategy; it also enlisted the help of political organisations to boost its campaign. Unlike the BJP, the Congress placed a high value on its senior Karnataka leadership. This has also contributed to the party's good mood today. The vote share of Congress has surpassed 40 per cent, a recent high. Surprisingly, the traditional Vokkaliga belt, primarily Mandya and Hassan, supported the Congress as well. The Congress has also received a lot of support over the years. ALSO WATCH | G7 Hiroshima Meet 2023 | Modi Tells Zelenksy: Ongoing war a challenge for the whole world Additionally, the corruption accusations levelled against the Basavaraj Bommai administration harmed the BJP's image. BJP state officials, including ministers, were unable to trumpet their accomplishments or explain to the public how the Narendra Modi-led administration at the Centre has benefited the people of Karnataka. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Congress leader Siddaramaiah takes oath as Karnataka’s new CM, DK Shivakumar his deputy

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

<p>In South India's Karnataka state, the Congress party finally managed to halt Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party's electoral juggernaut as the country's oldest political party won 136 of 224 seats in the state assembly, according to the latest trends published by Election Commission of India.</p>

<p>The win is significant for the Congress as it unseats the BJP from power in Karnataka, whose capital Bengaluru is India's foremost Information Technology hub.</p>

<p>At the same time, the Congress was seeking a much-needed boost for revival ahead of key electoral contests lined up later this year in states across India and the ultimate national elections in 2024 where it will stand against one of India's most popular leaders of all time in Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the BJP.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-assembly-elections-result-2023-live-updates-591682">Karnataka Election Result 2023 Live Updates: Congress gets absolute majority as it unseats BJP from power</a></strong></p>

<p>Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, a fourth-generation politician of India's Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty, hailed his party's victory in Karnataka as 'power of the poor', which the 52-year-old added, "has defeated the power of the capitalist friends of BJP."</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a comment which is being perceived as a statement of conceding defeat, congratulated Congress party for their win in the state elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Congratulations to the Congress Party for their victory in the Karnataka Assembly polls. My best wishes to them in fulfilling people’s aspirations," India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, while expressing gratitude to the BJP workers of the state. "We shall serve Karnataka with even more vigour in the times to come."</p>

<h2><strong>Karnataka state elections: Full Picture</strong></h2>

<p>The Congress party is either leading in or has won 136 of total 224 seats, up from its 2018 tally of 80, according to Election Commission of India.</p>

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party is either leading in or has won 65 of 224 seats, down from its 2018 tally of 104.</p>

<p>The regional party Janata Dal (Secular), which has seen its rise to national prominence in the past with its leader HD Devegowda briefly serving as India's prime minister in the 1990s, has won 19 of 224 seats, down from its 2018 tally of 37.</p>

<h2><strong>Karnataka elections 2023: What led to Congress party's win?</strong></h2>

<p>On India's vast electoral landscape, for decades, Karnataka has had the reputation of never re-electing an incumbent. In 2023, the state has well kept up to that reputation.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Karnataka Election 2023 | BJP: Congress' performance a reflection of local issues | India</strong></p>

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<p>Congress party is crediting its leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' (Unite India March) that spent 20 days in the state earlier this year, as the defining reason behind its success. At the same time, the party brought-in dozens of its leaders from all over India during months-long campaign, seeking a door-to-door connect over its accusations of corruption against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP has called for introspection for its electoral loss in Karnataka.</p>

<p>The Congress party is likely to choose DK Shivakumar, its top leader in the state, as Chief Minister. Shivakumar is likely to succeed Basavaraj Bommai of the BJP, though former CM Siddaramaiah is also considered to be a hopeful.&nbsp;</p>

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In South India's Karnataka state, the Congress party finally managed to halt Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party's electoral juggernaut as the country's oldest political party won 136 of 224 seats in the state assembly, according to the latest trends published by Election Commission of India.

In South India's Karnataka state, the Congress party finally managed to halt Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party's electoral juggernaut as the country's oldest political party won 136 of 224 seats in the state assembly, according to the latest trends published by Election Commission of India. The win is significant for the Congress as it unseats the BJP from power in Karnataka, whose capital Bengaluru is India's foremost Information Technology hub. At the same time, the Congress was seeking a much-needed boost for revival ahead of key electoral contests lined up later this year in states across India and the ultimate national elections in 2024 where it will stand against one of India's most popular leaders of all time in Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the BJP. ALSO READ | Karnataka Election Result 2023 Live Updates: Congress gets absolute majority as it unseats BJP from power Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, a fourth-generation politician of India's Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty, hailed his party's victory in Karnataka as 'power of the poor', which the 52-year-old added, "has defeated the power of the capitalist friends of BJP." Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a comment which is being perceived as a statement of conceding defeat, congratulated Congress party for their win in the state elections. "Congratulations to the Congress Party for their victory in the Karnataka Assembly polls. My best wishes to them in fulfilling people’s aspirations," India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, while expressing gratitude to the BJP workers of the state. "We shall serve Karnataka with even more vigour in the times to come." Karnataka state elections: Full Picture The Congress party is either leading in or has won 136 of total 224 seats, up from its 2018 tally of 80, according to Election Commission of India. The Bharatiya Janata Party is either leading in or has won 65 of 224 seats, down from its 2018 tally of 104. The regional party Janata Dal (Secular), which has seen its rise to national prominence in the past with its leader HD Devegowda briefly serving as India's prime minister in the 1990s, has won 19 of 224 seats, down from its 2018 tally of 37. Karnataka elections 2023: What led to Congress party's win? On India's vast electoral landscape, for decades, Karnataka has had the reputation of never re-electing an incumbent. In 2023, the state has well kept up to that reputation. ALSO WATCH | Karnataka Election 2023 | BJP: Congress' performance a reflection of local issues | India × Congress party is crediting its leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' (Unite India March) that spent 20 days in the state earlier this year, as the defining reason behind its success. At the same time, the party brought-in dozens of its leaders from all over India during months-long campaign, seeking a door-to-door connect over its accusations of corruption against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state. The BJP has called for introspection for its electoral loss in Karnataka. The Congress party is likely to choose DK Shivakumar, its top leader in the state, as Chief Minister. Shivakumar is likely to succeed Basavaraj Bommai of the BJP, though former CM Siddaramaiah is also considered to be a hopeful. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India’s Congress party unseats BJP from power in Karnataka state, gets clear majority

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<p><strong>Karnataka Election Results 2023: </strong>The vote counting for the Karnataka Assembly elections, held on May 10, 2023, has begun in all the 224 constituencies of the state. The latest figures by the Election Commission of India show the leading parties in the constituencies, including Bellary, Bijapur, Raichur, and Vijayanagara. The final results will be out on Saturday, May 13. According to the exit polls, Karnataka might face a hung assembly with Congress as the single largest party.</p>

<p>The total number of candidates in the political fray is 2,163. Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded candidates in all 224 constituencies. Congress has fielded candidates in 223 constituencies. It is supporting Sarvodaya Karnataka Party in Melukote. Furthermore, the number of candidates fielded by JD(S) is 207. In the poll fray, there are 2,427 male candidates, 184 female candidates and 2 others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Karnataka Election Results LIVE Updates 2023: Check who's winning in Bellary, Bijapur, Raichur &amp; Hospet</p>

<h2><strong>Karnataka Election Results 2023: Bellary</strong></h2>

<p>According to the latest figures from the Election Commission of India, B Nagendra of the Indian National Congress is leading in the Bellary district of Karnataka by 24,620 votes. The trailing candidate, B Sreeramulun, is from Bharatiya Janata Party.</p>

<p>In 2018, BJP candidate, G Somasekhara Reddy, won the seat from Bellary, and Anil Lad came in second place.</p>

<h2><strong>Karnataka Election Results 2023: Bijapur City</strong></h2>

<p>In Bijapur City, JT Patil of the Indian National Congress is leading by 10,645 votes. The trailing candidate is Nirani Muragesh Rudrappa of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2018, the seat was won by BJP's Basanagoud R Patil (Yatnal). He defeated INC's Abdul Hameed Mushrif.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Karnataka Election Results 2023: Raichur</strong></h2>

<p>In Raichur, there's a close fight between Indian National Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party. Currently, Dr Shivaraj Patil is leading by 2035 votes. The trailing candidate is Congress's Mohammed Shalam.</p>

<p>Dr Shivaraj Patil won the elections from Raichur in 2013 and 2018. He defeated Congress's candidate Syed Yaseen both times.</p>

<h2><strong>Karnataka Elections Results 2023: Vijayanagara</strong></h2>

<p>HR Gaviyappa of the Indian National Congress has won the seat from Vijayanagara. He won by a margin of 33,723.</p>

<p><em>(This is a live updating copy)</em></p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-election-results-2023-live-check-full-list-of-constituency-wise-winners-of-bjp-congress-and-jds-591872">Karnataka Election Results 2023 LIVE: Check full list of constituency-wise winners of BJP, Congress and JDS</a></p>


Karnataka Election Results 2023: The vote counting for the Karnataka Assembly elections, held on May 10, 2023, has begun in all the 224 constituencies of the state.

Karnataka Election Results 2023: The vote counting for the Karnataka Assembly elections, held on May 10, 2023, has begun in all the 224 constituencies of the state. The latest figures by the Election Commission of India show the leading parties in the constituencies, including Bellary, Bijapur, Raichur, and Vijayanagara. The final results will be out on Saturday, May 13. According to the exit polls, Karnataka might face a hung assembly with Congress as the single largest party. The total number of candidates in the political fray is 2,163. Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded candidates in all 224 constituencies. Congress has fielded candidates in 223 constituencies. It is supporting Sarvodaya Karnataka Party in Melukote. Furthermore, the number of candidates fielded by JD(S) is 207. In the poll fray, there are 2,427 male candidates, 184 female candidates and 2 others. Karnataka Election Results LIVE Updates 2023: Check who's winning in Bellary, Bijapur, Raichur & Hospet Karnataka Election Results 2023: Bellary According to the latest figures from the Election Commission of India, B Nagendra of the Indian National Congress is leading in the Bellary district of Karnataka by 24,620 votes. The trailing candidate, B Sreeramulun, is from Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2018, BJP candidate, G Somasekhara Reddy, won the seat from Bellary, and Anil Lad came in second place. Karnataka Election Results 2023: Bijapur City In Bijapur City, JT Patil of the Indian National Congress is leading by 10,645 votes. The trailing candidate is Nirani Muragesh Rudrappa of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2018, the seat was won by BJP's Basanagoud R Patil (Yatnal). He defeated INC's Abdul Hameed Mushrif. Karnataka Election Results 2023: Raichur In Raichur, there's a close fight between Indian National Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party. Currently, Dr Shivaraj Patil is leading by 2035 votes. The trailing candidate is Congress's Mohammed Shalam. Dr Shivaraj Patil won the elections from Raichur in 2013 and 2018. He defeated Congress's candidate Syed Yaseen both times. Karnataka Elections Results 2023: Vijayanagara HR Gaviyappa of the Indian National Congress has won the seat from Vijayanagara. He won by a margin of 33,723. (This is a live updating copy) ALSO READ | Karnataka Election Results 2023 LIVE: Check full list of constituency-wise winners of BJP, Congress and JDS

Karnataka Election Results 2023: Check who's winning in Bellary, Bijapur, Vijayanagara & Raichur district

Karnataka Election Results 2023 LIVE counting: Trends emerging from Karnataka election results put Congress party in a comfortable position. As per the latest trends, Congress has already reached the 113 majority mark, and the party looks all set to form a majority government.

Karnataka Election Results 2023 LIVE counting: Trends emerging from Karnataka election results put Congress party in a comfortable position. As per the latest trends, Congress has already reached the 113 majority mark, and the party looks all set to form a majority government. In Mysore, Hubli-Dharwar & Belgaum region, Congress party is dominating BJP and JDS. Here are the latest trends for assembly seats in this region. Earlier, exit polls predicted a hung assembly. JD(S) is expected to play a crucial role in the formation of the government in case both BJP and Congress fail to reach the majority milestone of 113 seats in the 224-seat Karnataka assembly. HD Kumaraswamy, the leader of JD(S), has stated that both major parties have approached him to form a coalition in the event of a hung assembly. Leaders from BJP and Congress are confident that their respective parties will secure a victory. The heavyweights of each political party in the Karnataka electoral fray are Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai of the BJP, Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, and JD(S)' HD Kumaraswamy. Karnataka recorded a record voter turnout of 73.19 per cent in the state assembly polls on May 10. The Chief Electoral Office of Karnataka confirmed the voter turnout and stated that the voting process was largely peaceful across the 58,545 polling stations in the state. It is interesting to note that the post-1985 electoral data suggests that Karnataka voters have never re-elected the incumbent party to power. As the election results are awaited, it remains to be seen whether Karnataka will break its electoral pattern or continue with its previous trend. Note: This is a live updating copy Mysore election results live Mysore Sr Number Constituency Leading/winner candidate Party Status 1 Piriyapatna K. VENKATESH Congress Leading 2 Krishnarajanagara RAVISHANKAR.D. Congress 3 Hunsur G.D. HARISH GOWDA JDS Leading 4 Heggadadevankote Anil Chikkamadhu Congress Leading 5 Nanjangud DARSHAN DHRUVANARAYANA Congress Leading 6 Chamundeshwari G. T. DEVEGOWDA JDS Leading 7 Krishnaraja M.K. SOMASHEKAR Congress Leading 8 Chamaraja L. NAGENDRA. BJP 9 Narasimharaja Tanveer Sait Congress Leading 10 Varuna SIDDARAMAIAH Congress Leading Belgaum election results live Belgaum Sr Number Constituency Leading/winner candidate Party Status 1 Athani LAXMAN. SANGAPPA. SAVADI Congress Leading 2 Bailhongal KOUJALAGI. MAHANTESH. SHIVANAND. Congress Leading 3 Belgaum Dakshin ABHAY PATIL BJP Leading 4 Belgaum Rural Laxmi R. Hebbalkar Congress Leading 5 Belgaum Uttar DR. RAVI B. PATIL BJP Leading 6 Chikkodi-Sadalga GANESH PRAKASH HUKKERI Congress Leading 7 Gokak KADADI MAHANTESH KALLAPPA Congress Leading 8 Hukkeri KATTI NIKHIL UMESH BJP Leading 9 Kagwad BHARAMGOUDA ALAGOUDA KAGE Congress Leading 10 Khanapur Vithal Somanna Halagekar BJP Leading 11 Kittur BABASAHEB PATIL Congress Leading 12 Kudachi MAHENDRA. KALLAPPA. TAMMANNAVAR Congress Leading 13 Nippani JOLLE SHASHIKALA ANNASAHEB BJP Leading 14 Ramdurg ASHOK MAHADEVAPPA PATTAN Congress Leading 15 Raybag AIHOLE DURYODHAN MAHALINGAPPA BJP Leading Hubli-Dharwar election results live Sr Number Constituency Leading/Winner candidate Party Status 1 Hubli-Dharwad-Central MAHESH TENGINAKAI BJP Leading 2 Hubli-Dharwad-East ABBAYYA PRASAD Congress Leading 3 Hubli-Dharwad-West ARVIND BELLAD BJP Leading 4 Kalghatgi SANTOSH.S.LAD Congress Leading 5 Kundgol M R PATIL BJP Leading 6 Navalgund NINGARADDI HANAMARADDI KONARADDI Congress Leading 7 Dharwad VINAY KULKARNI Congress Leading Also Read | Bangalore Karnataka Elections Results 2023: Live counting begins in Bangalore South, Yelahanka & Devanahalli

Karnataka Election Results 2023 LIVE counting in Mysore, Hubli-Dharwar: Congress to form government

The South-Indian state of Karnataka is witnessing a three-way battle, between the ruling BJP, the opposition Congress and the JDS. The BJP wants to make history by retaining the southern state, whereas congress is banking on the anti-incumbency wave. Watch to know more in this expert interview.

Karnataka Assembly polls: Congress and BJP set for a close contest

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, a day before the Karnataka polls, wrote an open letter to the people of the southern state of India thanking them for showering him with constant love and affection and further highlighting his party, BJP's, commitment to the growth and development of the state.</p>

<p>"You have always showered me with love and affection. It feels like a divine blessing to me. In our 'Azaadi ka Amrit Kaal', we Indians have aimed to make our beloved country a developed nation. Karnataka is keen to lead the movement to realise its vision", PM Modi said in his letter.</p>

<p>"India is the fifth-largest economy. Our next aim is to reach the top three. This is possible only when Karnataka rapidly grows to become a USD 1 trillion economy," the letter read.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Karnataka received over Rs 90,000 crore annually as foreign investment under the BJP government. It was just around Rs 30,000 crore under the previous government," the PM wrote.</p>

<p>"We want to make Karnataka number 1 in investment, industry and innovation and number 1 in education, employment and entrepreneurship," PM underlined his party's commitment.</p>

<p>"We are working to empower the farmers with a 'Beej Se Bazar Tak' vision. Through new irrigation projects, expansion of storage facilities, increasing ethanol blending usage of nano area and modern technology such as drones, BJP is committed to making Karnataka the number 1 in agriculture," it read.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi writes an open letter to the people of Karnataka… <a href="https://t.co/PrAIcdgNCu">pic.twitter.com/PrAIcdgNCu</a></p>
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) <a href="https://twitter.com/amitmalviya/status/1655767703783653377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>He further stated in his letter, "The BJP government will continue to work to create next-gen urban infrastructure in Karnataka, modernise transport, raise the quality of life in rural and urban areas, and create opportunities for women and youth."</p>

<p>"The dream of every citizen of Karnataka is my dream," wrote the PM.</p>

<p>"My appeal is for the bright future of Karnataka. It is for the bright future of your family, especially the younger generations," the letter read.</p>

<h2><strong>PM Modi urges people to vote in large numbers</strong></h2>

<p>The Indian Prime Minister, on Wednesday, urged the people of Karnataka, particularly the 'young and first-time voters' to vote in large numbers in the assembly elections.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Urging the people of Karnataka, particularly young and first time voters to vote in large numbers and enrich the festival of democracy.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1656108506922246154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023</strong></h2>

<p>The tenure of the Karnataka Assembly, the seventh-largest body in terms of strength, will end on May 24, 2023. Thus, the state has gone to polls on May 10, 2023, for all 224 constituencies. The elections will be in a single phase, and the Election Commission of India (ECI) will announce the results of the Karnataka Assembly elections on May 13, 2023.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, a day before the Karnataka polls, wrote an open letter to the people of the southern state of India thanking them for showering him with constant love and affection and further highlighting his party, BJP's, commitment to the growth and development of the state.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, a day before the Karnataka polls, wrote an open letter to the people of the southern state of India thanking them for showering him with constant love and affection and further highlighting his party, BJP's, commitment to the growth and development of the state. "You have always showered me with love and affection. It feels like a divine blessing to me. In our 'Azaadi ka Amrit Kaal', we Indians have aimed to make our beloved country a developed nation. Karnataka is keen to lead the movement to realise its vision", PM Modi said in his letter. "India is the fifth-largest economy. Our next aim is to reach the top three. This is possible only when Karnataka rapidly grows to become a USD 1 trillion economy," the letter read. "Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Karnataka received over Rs 90,000 crore annually as foreign investment under the BJP government. It was just around Rs 30,000 crore under the previous government," the PM wrote. "We want to make Karnataka number 1 in investment, industry and innovation and number 1 in education, employment and entrepreneurship," PM underlined his party's commitment. "We are working to empower the farmers with a 'Beej Se Bazar Tak' vision. Through new irrigation projects, expansion of storage facilities, increasing ethanol blending usage of nano area and modern technology such as drones, BJP is committed to making Karnataka the number 1 in agriculture," it read. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi writes an open letter to the people of Karnataka… pic.twitter.com/PrAIcdgNCu — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 9, 2023 × He further stated in his letter, "The BJP government will continue to work to create next-gen urban infrastructure in Karnataka, modernise transport, raise the quality of life in rural and urban areas, and create opportunities for women and youth." "The dream of every citizen of Karnataka is my dream," wrote the PM. "My appeal is for the bright future of Karnataka. It is for the bright future of your family, especially the younger generations," the letter read. PM Modi urges people to vote in large numbers The Indian Prime Minister, on Wednesday, urged the people of Karnataka, particularly the 'young and first-time voters' to vote in large numbers in the assembly elections. Urging the people of Karnataka, particularly young and first time voters to vote in large numbers and enrich the festival of democracy. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 10, 2023 × Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 The tenure of the Karnataka Assembly, the seventh-largest body in terms of strength, will end on May 24, 2023. Thus, the state has gone to polls on May 10, 2023, for all 224 constituencies. The elections will be in a single phase, and the Election Commission of India (ECI) will announce the results of the Karnataka Assembly elections on May 13, 2023. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

PM Modi writes open letter to people of Karnataka, underlines party's commitment to make state 'no. 1'

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-congress-jds-shift-mlas-from-bengaluru-to-avoid-horse-trading-137827">Karnataka: Congress, JD(S) shift MLAs from Bengaluru 'to avoid horse trading'</a></p>

<p>To avoid any attempt of horse trading by the Bhartiya Janata Party the Congress and JD(S) were shifting 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><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-invitation-to-yeddyurappa-to-be-chief-minister-137831">Supreme Court to hear </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-invitation-to-yeddyurappa-to-be-chief-minister-137831">plea</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-invitation-to-yeddyurappa-to-be-chief-minister-137831"> challenging invitation to Yeddyurappa to be chief minister</a></p>

<p>Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa faces his first big test in the Supreme Court today. The top court will resume hearing a petition challenging Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's invitation to Yeddyurappa to become chief minister.</p>

<p>In the May 12 polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three.</p>

<p>The BJP insists it should stake claim to form the government by virtue of being the single largest party while the Congress, which has struck a post-poll alliance with the JD(S), says they have 116 seats, four more than the half-way mark.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-1-bsf-soldier-killed-in-ceasefire-violation-by-pakistan-137822">Jammu and Kashmir: 1 BSF soldier killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan</a></p>

<p>A soldier from the Border Security Force lost his life in a ceasefire violation after the Pakistani troops opened fire in the RS Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.</p>

<p>The soldier killed in the violation hailed from Jharkhand and is survived by a three-year-old daughter and one-year-old son.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ceasefire violation across the international border also led to injuries of two civilians and one soldier.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-seeks-to-placate-north-koreas-kim-over-uncertain-summit-137825">Trump seeks to placate North Korea's Kim over </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-seeks-to-placate-north-koreas-kim-over-uncertain-summit-137825">uncertain</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-seeks-to-placate-north-koreas-kim-over-uncertain-summit-137825"> summit</a></p>

<p>US President Donald Trump sought on Thursday to placate North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un after Pyongyang threatened to scrap an unprecedented summit, saying Kim`s security would be guaranteed in any deal and his country would not suffer the fate of Muammar Gaddafi`s Libya, unless that could not be reached.</p>

<p>In rambling remarks in the White House`s Oval Office in which he also sharply criticized China over trade, Trump said that as far as he knew the meeting with Kim was still on track, but that the North Korean leader was possibly being influenced by Beijing after two recent visits he made there.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trump distanced himself from comments by his national security adviser John Bolton that North Korea angrily denounced when casting doubt on the summit, which is planned for June 12 in Singapore.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-panchayat-polls-tmc-races-ahead-bjp-main-rival-137829">West Bengal panchayat polls: TMC races ahead, BJP main rival</a></p>

<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>

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Karnataka: Congress, JD(S) shift MLAs from Bengaluru 'to avoid horse trading' To avoid any attempt of horse trading by the Bhartiya Janata Party the Congress and JD(S) were shifting 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". Supreme Court to hear plea challenging invitation to Yeddyurappa to be chief minister Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa faces his first big test in the Supreme Court today. The top court will resume hearing a petition challenging Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's invitation to Yeddyurappa to become chief minister. In the May 12 polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three. The BJP insists it should stake claim to form the government by virtue of being the single largest party while the Congress, which has struck a post-poll alliance with the JD(S), says they have 116 seats, four more than the half-way mark. Jammu and Kashmir: 1 BSF soldier killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan A soldier from the Border Security Force lost his life in a ceasefire violation after the Pakistani troops opened fire in the RS Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. The soldier killed in the violation hailed from Jharkhand and is survived by a three-year-old daughter and one-year-old son. The ceasefire violation across the international border also led to injuries of two civilians and one soldier. Trump seeks to placate North Korea's Kim over uncertain summit US President Donald Trump sought on Thursday to placate North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un after Pyongyang threatened to scrap an unprecedented summit, saying Kim`s security would be guaranteed in any deal and his country would not suffer the fate of Muammar Gaddafi`s Libya, unless that could not be reached. In rambling remarks in the White House`s Oval Office in which he also sharply criticized China over trade, Trump said that as far as he knew the meeting with Kim was still on track, but that the North Korean leader was possibly being influenced by Beijing after two recent visits he made there. Trump distanced himself from comments by his national security adviser John Bolton that North Korea angrily denounced when casting doubt on the summit, which is planned for June 12 in Singapore. West Bengal panchayat polls: TMC races ahead, BJP main rival 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.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi said today that the floor test ordered by the Supreme Court in the Karnataka assembly vindicated his party's stand that Governor Vajubhai Vala's invitation to BS Yeddyurappa to become chief minister was unconstitutional.</p>

<p>The Congress president wrote on Twitter that the top court had called the BJP government's bluff that it would form the government in the state even without the numbers. He also alleged that stopped legally, the BJP would now try "money and muscle to steal the mandate".</p>

<p>"Today’s Supreme Court order&nbspvindicates our stand that Governor Vala acted unconstitutionally. The BJP’s bluff that it will form the government, even without the numbers, has been called out by the court. Stopped legally, they will now try money & muscle, to steal the mandate," tweeted Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<p>The Supreme Court today asked the Yeddyurappa-led BJP government to conduct a floor test on Saturday to prove their majority in the Karnataka assembly.</p>

<p>The top court was hearing a petition challenging Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's invitation to BS Yeddyurappa to become chief minister.</p>

<p>In the May 12 polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three.</p>

<p>The BJP insists it should stake claim to form the government by virtue of being the single largest party while the Congress, which has struck a post-poll alliance with the JD(S), says they have more seats, four more than the half-way mark.&nbsp<br />
&nbsp</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today’s Supreme Court order, vindicates our stand that Governor Vala acted unconstitutionally.<br />
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The BJP’s bluff that it will form the Govt., even without the numbers, has been called out by the court.<br />
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Stopped legally, they will now try money & muscle, to steal the mandate.</p>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/997369301198925824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Congress president wrote on Twitter that the top court had called the BJP government's bluff that it would form the government in the state even without the numbers

Congress president Rahul Gandhi said today that the floor test ordered by the Supreme Court in the Karnataka assembly vindicated his party's stand that Governor Vajubhai Vala's invitation to BS Yeddyurappa to become chief minister was unconstitutional. The Congress president wrote on Twitter that the top court had called the BJP government's bluff that it would form the government in the state even without the numbers. He also alleged that stopped legally, the BJP would now try "money and muscle to steal the mandate". "Today’s Supreme Court order&nbspvindicates our stand that Governor Vala acted unconstitutionally. The BJP’s bluff that it will form the government, even without the numbers, has been called out by the court. Stopped legally, they will now try money & muscle, to steal the mandate," tweeted Rahul Gandhi. The Supreme Court today asked the Yeddyurappa-led BJP government to conduct a floor test on Saturday to prove their majority in the Karnataka assembly. The top court was hearing a petition challenging Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's invitation to BS Yeddyurappa to become chief minister. In the May 12 polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three. The BJP insists it should stake claim to form the government by virtue of being the single largest party while the Congress, which has struck a post-poll alliance with the JD(S), says they have more seats, four more than the half-way mark. Today’s Supreme Court order, vindicates our stand that Governor Vala acted unconstitutionally. The BJP’s bluff that it will form the Govt., even without the numbers, has been called out by the court. Stopped legally, they will now try money & muscle, to steal the mandate. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 18, 2018 ×

Supreme Court order vindicates stand that Governor acted unconstitutionally: Rahul Gandhi

<p>Democracy was murdered the moment "desperate" Congress made an "opportunist" offer to the JD(S) to form the government in Karnataka for "petty political gains", BJP President Amit Shah said today while hitting back at the Congress over its "murder of democracy" accusation.</p>

<p>The Congress on Wednesday termed Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to invite BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa to form the government as "murder of democracy and trampling of Constitution".</p>

<p>Responding to the accusation, Shah, in a tweet, said, "The 'Murder of Democracy' happens the minute a desperate Congress made an 'opportunist' offer to the JD(S), not for Karnataka's welfare but for their petty political gains. Shameful!" He also cited the fall in Congress tally from 122 in 2013 to 78 seats this time and said his party's number stood at 104 seats, suggesting that the BJP has the mandate to form the government.</p>

<p>"Who has the people's mandate in Karnataka? The BJP, which has won 104 seats.Or Congress which dropped to 78 seats, whose own CM and Ministers lost by big margins.</p>

<p>JD(S) who won only 37 seats and lost their deposits on several others. People are wise to realise," he said in another tweet.</p>

<p>BJP legislature party leader B S Yeddyurappa was today sworn in as the chief minister of Karnataka for a second time, after an overnight high-voltage legal battle in the Supreme Court which refused to stay his swearing-in.</p>

<p>Yeddyurappa has 15 days to prove his majority in the Assembly.</p>

<p>The BJP has 104 MLAs in the House, eight short of the magic figure of 112. On the other hand, the Congress and JD(S), which have already announced post-poll tie-up, have won 78 and 37 seats respectively.</p>

<p>Launching a fusillade against Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala after he invited the BJP to form the government in the state, the Congress had yesterday dubbed him a "stooge" of the NDA major and termed his decision as "murder of democracy and trampling of Constitution".&nbsp</p>


Democracy was murdered the moment 'desperate Congress' made an 'opportunist' offer to the JD(S) to form the government in Karnataka for 'petty political gains', BJP President Amit Shah said today while hitting back at the Congress over its 'murder of democracy' accusation

Democracy was murdered the moment "desperate" Congress made an "opportunist" offer to the JD(S) to form the government in Karnataka for "petty political gains", BJP President Amit Shah said today while hitting back at the Congress over its "murder of democracy" accusation. The Congress on Wednesday termed Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to invite BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa to form the government as "murder of democracy and trampling of Constitution". Responding to the accusation, Shah, in a tweet, said, "The 'Murder of Democracy' happens the minute a desperate Congress made an 'opportunist' offer to the JD(S), not for Karnataka's welfare but for their petty political gains. Shameful!" He also cited the fall in Congress tally from 122 in 2013 to 78 seats this time and said his party's number stood at 104 seats, suggesting that the BJP has the mandate to form the government. "Who has the people's mandate in Karnataka? The BJP, which has won 104 seats.Or Congress which dropped to 78 seats, whose own CM and Ministers lost by big margins. JD(S) who won only 37 seats and lost their deposits on several others. People are wise to realise," he said in another tweet. BJP legislature party leader B S Yeddyurappa was today sworn in as the chief minister of Karnataka for a second time, after an overnight high-voltage legal battle in the Supreme Court which refused to stay his swearing-in. Yeddyurappa has 15 days to prove his majority in the Assembly. The BJP has 104 MLAs in the House, eight short of the magic figure of 112. On the other hand, the Congress and JD(S), which have already announced post-poll tie-up, have won 78 and 37 seats respectively. Launching a fusillade against Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala after he invited the BJP to form the government in the state, the Congress had yesterday dubbed him a "stooge" of the NDA major and termed his decision as "murder of democracy and trampling of Constitution".

'Murder of Democracy' was by 'desperate Congress': Amit Shah responds to Rahul jibe

<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>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>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996269026455076864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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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>
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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

<p>The counting of votes is underway in Karnataka and the BJP has taken the lead. The party is currently leading in&nbsp;106&nbsp;seats, while the Congress is leading in 76.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Karnataka has a total of 224 assembly seats, but only 222 seats went to the polls this time. (Voting was postponed in Bengaluru's RR Nagar seat where close to 10,000 voter IDs were recovered from a flat. Voting was also postponed in another seat where a candidate died.)&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The halfway mark then is 112 seats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Should the Congress lose Karnataka, it will be left in power in only two Indian states and one union territory.</p>

<p>The two states are Punjab and Mizoram. The UT is Puducherry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP on the other will end up ruling 21 states (including Karnataka) out of 29.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Watch: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-bjp-leaders-hail-victory-congress-disappointed-in-karnataka-election-136924#">BJP leaders hail victory, Congress disappointed in Karnataka election</a></p>

<p>The Congress recently lost Himachal Pradesh, while the BJP retained Gujarat, the latest in a string of defeats since 2014 when Prime Minister Modi came to power at the Centre.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While campaigning for the 2014 general elections, Modi had promised a "Congress-mukt Bharat".&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2017, the Congress lost Goa and Manipur — despite emerging as the single-largest party in both states.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the 2014 general elections, the Congress won only 44 Lok Sabha — marking a new low.</p>

<p>The next state elections coming up in 2018 are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The BJP is in power in all three and will therefore have to fight the anti-incumbency factor there.</p>

<p>Also see: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-election-results-what-didnt-work-for-congress-136929">Karnataka election results: What didn't work for Congress</a></p>

<p>In Karnataka, Modi's last-minute blitzkrieg seems to have paid off. The BJP is currently leading in 11 of the 19 constituencies that Modi campaigned in.</p>

<p>Of the 16 constituencies that Rahul Gandhi campaigned in, the Congress is leading in 6.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-karnataka-election-results-counting-underway-as-bjp-congress-wait-for-results-136866"><strong><em>Watch the live updates of the Karnataka elections here.</em></strong></a></p>


The BJP is currently leading in 106 seats in Karnataka. The two states the Congress still rules in are Punjab and Mizoram. The union territory is Puducherry

The counting of votes is underway in Karnataka and the BJP has taken the lead. The party is currently leading in 106 seats, while the Congress is leading in 76. Karnataka has a total of 224 assembly seats, but only 222 seats went to the polls this time. (Voting was postponed in Bengaluru's RR Nagar seat where close to 10,000 voter IDs were recovered from a flat. Voting was also postponed in another seat where a candidate died.) The halfway mark then is 112 seats. Should the Congress lose Karnataka, it will be left in power in only two Indian states and one union territory. The two states are Punjab and Mizoram. The UT is Puducherry. The BJP on the other will end up ruling 21 states (including Karnataka) out of 29. Watch: BJP leaders hail victory, Congress disappointed in Karnataka election The Congress recently lost Himachal Pradesh, while the BJP retained Gujarat, the latest in a string of defeats since 2014 when Prime Minister Modi came to power at the Centre. While campaigning for the 2014 general elections, Modi had promised a "Congress-mukt Bharat". In 2017, the Congress lost Goa and Manipur — despite emerging as the single-largest party in both states. In the 2014 general elections, the Congress won only 44 Lok Sabha — marking a new low. The next state elections coming up in 2018 are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The BJP is in power in all three and will therefore have to fight the anti-incumbency factor there. Also see: Karnataka election results: What didn't work for Congress In Karnataka, Modi's last-minute blitzkrieg seems to have paid off. The BJP is currently leading in 11 of the 19 constituencies that Modi campaigned in. Of the 16 constituencies that Rahul Gandhi campaigned in, the Congress is leading in 6. Watch the live updates of the Karnataka elections here.

Should Congress lose Karnataka, it will be left in power in only two states, 1 UT

<p>Six hours into counting and the results are self-evident. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-leads-in-most-constituencies-modi-campaigned-rahul-effect-fades-for-congress-136926">Prime Minister Modi's campaign form</a> in the last leg of elections has delivered Karnataka to the BJP, it was what saved the party in Gujarat - a political equivalent of slog-over pinch hitting that Dhoni, Kohli and some of the other best finishers in cricket would envy and want to emulate.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-karnataka-election-results-counting-underway-as-bjp-congress-wait-for-results-136866">Track Live Results of Karnataka Assembly Elections</a></p>

<p>Like it or lump it, when you want a 'neta' to deliver and lead the party on the campaign trail, there is no one better than the indefatigable PM who has delivered state after state for the Bharatiya Janata Party.</p>

<p>A beaming Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad did the rounds of TV studios and said on air: "Democracy and accountability go hand-in-hand and the Congress president should look at his own party. The country has accepted Narendra Modi's leadership. It is not the BJP's job to strengthen the party, they have to see why the people didn't vote for them."</p>

<p>Modi had on the campaign trail quipped that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-election-results-what-didnt-work-for-congress-136929">the Congress</a> will be reduced to 'PPP' party - alluding to the fact that <a href="www.wionews.com/india-news/bjps-dream-of-a-congress-free-nation-inching-towards-reality--136946">all the party has</a> are the states of Puducherry, Punjab and Parivaar (then Gandhi family). Perhaps the M from Mizoram did not fit the pun - but it is a fact that after its loss in Karnataka, the Congress has its governments in just the three states of Punjab, Puducherry and Mizoram - tracts of land on which just under three per cent of India's population dwell.</p>

<p>Wave after wave of pollsters said there was no 'Modi ki lehar' (Modi wave) visible in the state but everyone forgot Uttar Pradesh. No 'visible' BJP wave led to 300+ seats there. Of course you sometimes need the right political prism to see a wave and many on the other side of the divide, naysayers and even fence sitters of my ilk, can sometimes miss what stares them in plain sight.</p>

<p>Faced with the chief minister in Siddaramaiah who wasn't a pushover, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics:-bjp-celebrate-victory-in-karnataka-136956">the BJP</a> pinned its hopes largely on the central government's track record and Prime Minister Modi's charisma to get them out of a tough spot. On Saturday, exit polls were divided and sensible pollsters said it was too close to call. The BJP top-brass seemed quietly confident, the Congress claimed victory is what now seems like braggadocio. Dismissing the exit polls as 'entertainment', BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa had even announced that he would take oath on May 17.</p>

<p>What the Congress missed was also the fact that a popular chief minister may not combat anti-incumbency - the performance of the MLAs matters. And while these results may not have a direct fallout in the PM Modi's 2019 bid for a second-term in office, the prime minister is clearly a captain who leads from the front and comes up with the goods when the going gets tough - a trait that augurs well for the BJP as it will look to buck anti-incumbency and retain Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh later this year.</p>


Wave after wave of pollsters said there was no 'Modi ki lehar' visible in the state but everyone forgot Uttar Pradesh.

Six hours into counting and the results are self-evident. Prime Minister Modi's campaign form in the last leg of elections has delivered Karnataka to the BJP, it was what saved the party in Gujarat - a political equivalent of slog-over pinch hitting that Dhoni, Kohli and some of the other best finishers in cricket would envy and want to emulate. Track Live Results of Karnataka Assembly Elections Like it or lump it, when you want a 'neta' to deliver and lead the party on the campaign trail, there is no one better than the indefatigable PM who has delivered state after state for the Bharatiya Janata Party. A beaming Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad did the rounds of TV studios and said on air: "Democracy and accountability go hand-in-hand and the Congress president should look at his own party. The country has accepted Narendra Modi's leadership. It is not the BJP's job to strengthen the party, they have to see why the people didn't vote for them." Modi had on the campaign trail quipped that the Congress will be reduced to 'PPP' party - alluding to the fact that all the party has are the states of Puducherry, Punjab and Parivaar (then Gandhi family). Perhaps the M from Mizoram did not fit the pun - but it is a fact that after its loss in Karnataka, the Congress has its governments in just the three states of Punjab, Puducherry and Mizoram - tracts of land on which just under three per cent of India's population dwell. Wave after wave of pollsters said there was no 'Modi ki lehar' (Modi wave) visible in the state but everyone forgot Uttar Pradesh. No 'visible' BJP wave led to 300+ seats there. Of course you sometimes need the right political prism to see a wave and many on the other side of the divide, naysayers and even fence sitters of my ilk, can sometimes miss what stares them in plain sight. Faced with the chief minister in Siddaramaiah who wasn't a pushover, the BJP pinned its hopes largely on the central government's track record and Prime Minister Modi's charisma to get them out of a tough spot. On Saturday, exit polls were divided and sensible pollsters said it was too close to call. The BJP top-brass seemed quietly confident, the Congress claimed victory is what now seems like braggadocio. Dismissing the exit polls as 'entertainment', BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa had even announced that he would take oath on May 17. What the Congress missed was also the fact that a popular chief minister may not combat anti-incumbency - the performance of the MLAs matters. And while these results may not have a direct fallout in the PM Modi's 2019 bid for a second-term in office, the prime minister is clearly a captain who leads from the front and comes up with the goods when the going gets tough - a trait that augurs well for the BJP as it will look to buck anti-incumbency and retain Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh later this year.

Karnataka election results show Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'magic' works

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