A voter turnout of 24 per cent has been recorded so far in the Karnataka assembly elections till 11 am

The polls, which began at 7 a.m at 58,546 polling stations, each equipped with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), will conclude at 6 pm.

Earlier in the day, a faulty VVPAT machine was replaced in Hubli, which had stalled the voting.

The election in two constituencies, Jayanagar and Rajarajeshwari Nagar, both in Bengaluru has been postponed.

In Jayanagar, the polling has been deferred due to the death of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, B N Vijay Kumar, on May 4. In Rajarajeshwari Nagar, it has been postponed after a bundle of fake voter identity cards was found from a flat in Bengaluru`s Jalahalli locality by the Election Commission (EC) officials on May 8.

The election in Karnataka is considered crucial for the Congress Party, as it would be looking to prevent the BJP juggernaut from expanding its footprints in the south.

Since the 2014 general election, the Congress has been defeated by the BJP in over a dozen states, drastically shrinking its political footprint.

The BJP is making an all-out bid to oust the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka and is looking to come back to power in the state with B.S. Yeddyurappa, its chief ministerial candidate.

Interestingly, no incumbent government has been re-elected in Karnataka since 1985.

The Janata Dal (Secular) is looking to establish itself once again in Karnataka politics and is expected to give a tough fight to both the BJP and the Congress.

A total of 2,654 candidates are in the fray and 4.96-crore electorate, including 2.44 crore women, will cast their votes.

Over 15 lakh people are first-time voters in the 18-19 age group.

Tight security is in place to ensure smooth and peaceful single-phase polling in 222 constituencies, including 36 reserved for the Scheduled Castes (SC) and 15 for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and 26 in Bengaluru.

The majority mark for any party to form the government is 112. The counting of votes and announcement of results will take place on Tuesday.

The polls, which began at 7 a.m at 58,546 polling stations, each equipped with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), will conclude at 6 pm.

A voter turnout of 24 per cent has been recorded so far in the Karnataka assembly elections till 11 am The polls, which began at 7 a.m at 58,546 polling stations, each equipped with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), will conclude at 6 pm. Earlier in the day, a faulty VVPAT machine was replaced in Hubli, which had stalled the voting. The election in two constituencies, Jayanagar and Rajarajeshwari Nagar, both in Bengaluru has been postponed. In Jayanagar, the polling has been deferred due to the death of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, B N Vijay Kumar, on May 4. In Rajarajeshwari Nagar, it has been postponed after a bundle of fake voter identity cards was found from a flat in Bengaluru`s Jalahalli locality by the Election Commission (EC) officials on May 8. The election in Karnataka is considered crucial for the Congress Party, as it would be looking to prevent the BJP juggernaut from expanding its footprints in the south. Since the 2014 general election, the Congress has been defeated by the BJP in over a dozen states, drastically shrinking its political footprint. The BJP is making an all-out bid to oust the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka and is looking to come back to power in the state with B.S. Yeddyurappa, its chief ministerial candidate. Interestingly, no incumbent government has been re-elected in Karnataka since 1985. The Janata Dal (Secular) is looking to establish itself once again in Karnataka politics and is expected to give a tough fight to both the BJP and the Congress. A total of 2,654 candidates are in the fray and 4.96-crore electorate, including 2.44 crore women, will cast their votes. Over 15 lakh people are first-time voters in the 18-19 age group. Tight security is in place to ensure smooth and peaceful single-phase polling in 222 constituencies, including 36 reserved for the Scheduled Castes (SC) and 15 for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and 26 in Bengaluru. The majority mark for any party to form the government is 112. The counting of votes and announcement of results will take place on Tuesday.

Karnataka polls: 24% voting recorded till 11 am

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Nepal, on Friday met Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, the Foreign Minister of Nepal.

Issues related to the trade deficit and low pace of the implementation of previous agreements were addressed during the delegation level talks held between them, Gyawali told ANI.

He said countries like Nepal want to be linked with various means. Boosting connectivity, through waterways, railways or through information technology can prove to be vital for Nepal's development, the foreign minister of the landlocked nation said.

"It is our consistent policy that Nepal doesn't allow anyone to misuse its territory. We have reiterated that principle. We have to be careful while maintaining the open border, which is a symbol of cordial relationship between both the countries," he added.

After holding talks over gamut of bilateral relations and inaugurating a hydropower project in Kathmandu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a number of tweets hailing the ties between India and Nepal.

PM Modi assured the Himalayan nation of India's support, saying "India stands shoulder to shoulder with Nepal."

He first began by commending Nepal for successfully holding elections at all three levels: federal, provincial and local levels.

Following the above tweet, he expressed India's commitment towards the economic development of Nepal.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi met with President of Nepal Bidhya Devi Bhandari and his Nepali counterpart KP Sharma Oli in Kathmandu.

PM Modi and Oli laid the foundation stone of Arun-III, a hydropower project in Kathmandu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Nepal's Muktinath Temple and met people at Nepal's Muktinath Temple.

After the visit to the temples, Prime Minister Modi is expected to engage with political leaders of various parties. He will attend the civic reception hosted by the mayor of Kathmandu and then depart for India on Saturday evening.

Prime Minister Modi arrived at the city of Janakpur in Nepal on Friday at about 10:45 am (local time).

He was received by Prime Minister Oli after which Prime Minister Modi performed puja at the Ram Janaki Temple and flagged off the shuttle bus service between Janakpur and Ayodhya.

Issues related to the trade deficit and low pace of the implementation of previous agreements were addressed during the delegation level talks held between them, Gyawali told ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Nepal, on Friday met Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, the Foreign Minister of Nepal. Issues related to the trade deficit and low pace of the implementation of previous agreements were addressed during the delegation level talks held between them, Gyawali told ANI. He said countries like Nepal want to be linked with various means. Boosting connectivity, through waterways, railways or through information technology can prove to be vital for Nepal's development, the foreign minister of the landlocked nation said. "It is our consistent policy that Nepal doesn't allow anyone to misuse its territory. We have reiterated that principle. We have to be careful while maintaining the open border, which is a symbol of cordial relationship between both the countries," he added. After holding talks over gamut of bilateral relations and inaugurating a hydropower project in Kathmandu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a number of tweets hailing the ties between India and Nepal. PM Modi assured the Himalayan nation of India's support, saying "India stands shoulder to shoulder with Nepal." He first began by commending Nepal for successfully holding elections at all three levels: federal, provincial and local levels. Following the above tweet, he expressed India's commitment towards the economic development of Nepal. Earlier in the day, PM Modi met with President of Nepal Bidhya Devi Bhandari and his Nepali counterpart KP Sharma Oli in Kathmandu. PM Modi and Oli laid the foundation stone of Arun-III, a hydropower project in Kathmandu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Nepal's Muktinath Temple and met people at Nepal's Muktinath Temple. After the visit to the temples, Prime Minister Modi is expected to engage with political leaders of various parties. He will attend the civic reception hosted by the mayor of Kathmandu and then depart for India on Saturday evening. Prime Minister Modi arrived at the city of Janakpur in Nepal on Friday at about 10:45 am (local time). He was received by Prime Minister Oli after which Prime Minister Modi performed puja at the Ram Janaki Temple and flagged off the shuttle bus service between Janakpur and Ayodhya.

Discussed trade deficit with PM Modi: Nepal's Foreign Minister

Polling for the high-stakes Karnataka assembly elections got underway this morning under a thick security blanket.

In what is projected as a tight race, voting is being held in 222 out of 224 seats in a three-cornered contest among the ruling Congress, the BJP and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda's JD(S).

The Election Commission yesterday deferred the polls for the Rajarajeswari Nagar constituency to May 28 after a massive row erupted over a large number of voter ID cards being found in an apartment.

The election for the Jayanagara seat in Bengaluru was countermanded following the death of BJP candidate and sitting MLA B N Vijaykumar.

Over 2,600 candidates are in the fray-- more than 2400 men and over 200 women.

The total voters including service electors according to the 2018 final rolls are 5,06,90,538, of whom 2,56,75,579 male voters, 2,50,09,904 female and 5,055 transgender voters.

Officials said 58,008 polling stations have been set up across the state, of which 12002 have been designated as "critical", with over 3,50,000 polling personnel on duty.

Police have made elaborate security arrangements for the smooth conduct of polls that will go on until 6 pm. Counting of votes will take place on May 15.

"82,157 people have been deployed for poll duty that includes DSPs, home guards and civil defence, and forest guards and watchers,? Karnataka DGP Neelamani N Raju said.

This also includes about 7,500 personnel from states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtram Chattisgarh, Kerala and Goa, she said, adding, central forces have been deployed.

The current polls are seen as one of the most complex the state had ever witnessed with many imponderables that have left most analysts to bet on a fractured mandate in a cliffhanger.

One among the interesting aspects of this election is four candidates who have served as chief minister of Karnataka are in the fray -- current incumbent Siddaramaiah (Chamundeshwari and Badami), B S Yeddyurappa (Shikaripura), H D

Kumaraswamy (Chennapatna and Ramanagara) and Jagadish Shettar (Hubli-Dharwad Central.)

State electoral authorities have also taken certain new initiatives such as SMS-based polling station access, app-based polling station access and navigation and queue status facility for a few polling stations with higher voter population.

Some special polling stations with ethnic look in primitive tribal areas have been established on a pilot basis. For the first time in Karnataka, one all women-managed polling station (Sakhi) has been set up in all rural assembly constituencies and five in each urban constituency (totalling 600 polling stations).&nbsp;

The total voters including service electors according to the 2018 final rolls are 5,06,90,538, of whom 2,56,75,579 male voters, 2,50,09,904 female and 5,055 transgender voters.

Polling for the high-stakes Karnataka assembly elections got underway this morning under a thick security blanket. In what is projected as a tight race, voting is being held in 222 out of 224 seats in a three-cornered contest among the ruling Congress, the BJP and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda's JD(S). The Election Commission yesterday deferred the polls for the Rajarajeswari Nagar constituency to May 28 after a massive row erupted over a large number of voter ID cards being found in an apartment. The election for the Jayanagara seat in Bengaluru was countermanded following the death of BJP candidate and sitting MLA B N Vijaykumar. Over 2,600 candidates are in the fray-- more than 2400 men and over 200 women. The total voters including service electors according to the 2018 final rolls are 5,06,90,538, of whom 2,56,75,579 male voters, 2,50,09,904 female and 5,055 transgender voters. Officials said 58,008 polling stations have been set up across the state, of which 12002 have been designated as "critical", with over 3,50,000 polling personnel on duty. Police have made elaborate security arrangements for the smooth conduct of polls that will go on until 6 pm. Counting of votes will take place on May 15. "82,157 people have been deployed for poll duty that includes DSPs, home guards and civil defence, and forest guards and watchers,? Karnataka DGP Neelamani N Raju said. This also includes about 7,500 personnel from states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtram Chattisgarh, Kerala and Goa, she said, adding, central forces have been deployed. The current polls are seen as one of the most complex the state had ever witnessed with many imponderables that have left most analysts to bet on a fractured mandate in a cliffhanger. One among the interesting aspects of this election is four candidates who have served as chief minister of Karnataka are in the fray -- current incumbent Siddaramaiah (Chamundeshwari and Badami), B S Yeddyurappa (Shikaripura), H D Kumaraswamy (Chennapatna and Ramanagara) and Jagadish Shettar (Hubli-Dharwad Central.) State electoral authorities have also taken certain new initiatives such as SMS-based polling station access, app-based polling station access and navigation and queue status facility for a few polling stations with higher voter population. Some special polling stations with ethnic look in primitive tribal areas have been established on a pilot basis. For the first time in Karnataka, one all women-managed polling station (Sakhi) has been set up in all rural assembly constituencies and five in each urban constituency (totalling 600 polling stations).

Karnataka assembly elections: Voting begins amid thick security blanket

The D-Day for the elections in Karnataka is here. In just a few hours, the 4.94-crore strong electorate will begin exercising their franchise to decide the fates of over 2500 candidates, contesting for 222 assembly seats.

The Karnataka election, essentially, is a triangular contest among the incumbent Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S).

The southern state of Karnataka is one of the three states, where Congress is still in power. The other being Punjab and Mizoram and a union territory, Puducherry.

Siddaramaiah, the incumbent chief minister who is also leading the campaign in the state, is highly confident that Congress would retain the state and win with a huge majority. During the past few weeks, he has travelled extensively across the state, wooing voters, while lambasting the BJP for fielding tainted candidates in the high-stake elections.

While, the BJP, led by star campaigner Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has left no stones unturned and campaigned extensively in various parts of the state. Not only he has cornered and attacked the Congress on numerous occasions, he has also promised to make a "Nava Karnataka" (New Karnataka) if the party wins.

The third force in the state, the JD(S), led by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, is also confident that his party would win enough seats to play a kingmaker role, if not from the government, in case the electorate throws up a fractured mandate.

Here is a look at some of the key constituencies and key players:

1. Varuna

The high-profile Varuna constituency in Mysuru district was supposed to see a neck-to-neck electoral fight between Siddaramaiah son's Dr. Yathindra and former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa's son, B.Y. Vijayendra.

However, the sudden decision by the state BJP unit to not field Vijayendra has pulled the curtains on this big showdown.

Siddaramaiah has been contesting from this constituency since 2008. However, he decided to pass on the baton to his son this time.

Hence, the constituency would be still making news as Dr. Yathindra (37) will be making his political debut today.

Yathindra is now fighting against BJP's Thotadappa Basavaraju and Abhishek S. Manegar of the JD(S).

A Congress bastion, Siddaramaiah, in the last election, easily defeated Karnataka Jana Paksha's (KJP) Kapu Siddalingaswamy and Cheluvaraj of the JD(S) by a comfortable margin of 29,641 votes (18.45 per cent), securing 52.53 per cent of the total votes polled. The seat witnessed a voter turnout of 82.43 per cent.

In 2008, Congress won with a margin of 18,837 votes (13.16 percent), getting polled by 50.23 per cent of the total voters.

There are a total of 2,13,812 voters in the constituency, including over 1 lakh female and 13 other voters.

2. Chamundeshwari

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is fighting from this high-profile constituency and will be facing BJP's S.R. Gopalrao and G.T. Devegowda of the JD (S), a powerful face from the Vokkaliga community and an ex-mentor of the chief minister.

Chamundeshwari in Mysuru district is named after the goddess who is worshipped with great fervour during the annual Dasara festival.

In the previous two elections, the seat has either gone to the Congress (2008) or the JD (S) (2013).

There are a total of 2,89,138 voters in the constituency. Among them over 1.42 lakh are female voters and 32 others.

3. Badami

Badami, a tourist town in Bagalkot district in northern Karnataka is renowned for its cave temples.

Siddaramaiah is contesting from this constituency and holds prominence here as it is dominated by the Kuruba community, a shepherd community to which the chief minister belongs.

Winning the Badami and Chamundeshwari seats would help Siddaramaiah to again stake claim to the state's top post for second consecutive time, if the party wins the elections with a brute majority.

The Karnataka Chief Minister is locking horns with B. Sriramulu of the BJP.

In the 2013 elections, Congress won the Badami seat with a margin of 15,113 votes (10.87 per cent) securing 41.31 per cent of the total votes polled. The constituency saw a voter turnout of 70.71 per cent.

In 2008, however, the BJP won this constituency with a margin of 5,107 votes (4.29 per cent), receiving 44.85 per cent of the votes polled.

There are a total of 2,14,834 voters in the constituency, having over 1 lakh female voters and 16 others.

4. Chittapur

Priyank Kharge, son of prominent Congress heavyweight Mallikarjun Kharge, will contest from Chittapur seat in Kalaburagi district in north Karnataka.

He would be looking to further consolidate his position from this assembly constituency, which has majority Lingayat voters.

Priyank's father won in the 2008 elections, with a margin of 17,442 votes (18.25 per cent), registering 52.16 per cent of the votes polled.

The young Kharge also won in 2013, with a margin of 31,191 votes (25.21 per cent) securing 56.08 per cent of the total votes polled.

Priyank is currently the Minister of State (MoS) for Information Technology (IT) and Tourism in Siddaramaiah's cabinet.

He is up against BJP's Valmik Naik. The JD(S), however, has not fielded any candidate for the Chittapur seat.

There are a total of 2,28,618 voters in the constituency. Of the total voters, over 1 lakh are female and 32 others.

5. B.T.M. Layout

A prominent locality in the southern part of Bengaluru city, former Karnataka Transport Minister and current Home Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy of the Congress is the incumbent MLA of this constituency.

The constituency falls on the Bengaluru Urban district of the Lok Sabha seat.

In 2013, Reddy won the BTM Layout seat with a margin of 49,048 votes (44.39 per cent), securing 63.1 per cent of the total votes polled. The constituency witnessed a voter turnout of 53.43 per cent.

His daughter, Sowmya Reddy is contesting from the Jayanagar seat.

There are a total of 2,63,860 voters in the constituency, including more than 1.24 lakh female and 20 other voters.

6. Mandya

The Mandya constituency will be a keenly watched electoral battle as it has been termed as the "hotbed of Cauvery politics" by the media.

The agricultural lands in the district receive water from the Krishnarajasagara (KRS) Dam, built across Cauvery river. However, successive droughts have reduced the water level of the dam considerably.

Mandya has seen massive and violent protests over the sharing of Cauvery river water between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The Congress has fielded P. Ravikumar, who will lock horns with M. Srinivas of the JD(S) and N. Shivanna of the BJP.

In 2013 elections, popular Kannada actor Ambareesh won from this seat for Congress with a margin of 42,937 votes (28.1 per cent), securing 59.11 per cent of the total votes polled. The constituency witnessed a voter turnout of 68.58 per cent.

In 2008, the JD(S) won the Mandya seat with a margin of 10,529 votes (8.11 percent) registering 36.39 per cent of the votes polled.

There are a total of 2,21,658 voters in the constituency. Among the total, over 1.1 lakh are female and 35 others voters.

7. Ramanagaram and Channapatna

Like Siddaramaiah, former chief minister and JD(S) heavyweight H.D. Kumaraswamy will be contesting from the constituencies of Ramanagaram and Channapatna respectively.

The decision by Kumaraswamy to contest from these two seats in Ramanagaram district is seen as an opportunity for the party to return to the centre stage of Karnataka politics.

In Ramanagaram, which is a predominant JD(S) seat, Kumaraswamy won in both 2008 and 2013 elections.

He will face Leelavathi of the BJP and Iqbal Hussain of the JD(S) from this seat.

In the 2013 elections, he defeated Congress candidate Maridevaru with a margin of 25,398 votes (17.08 per cent), securing 56.12 per cent of the total votes polled. The Ramanagaram constituency witnessed a voter turnout of 80.58 per cent.

In 2008, Kumaraswamy defeated BJP's M Rudresha with a margin of 47,260 votes.

There are a total of 2,05,031 voters in the constituency. Among them 1,02,978 female and 25 other voters.

In Channapatna, the JD(S) leader's wife Anitha Kumaraswamy lost to Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate, C.P. Yogeshwara in the 2013 elections, with a margin of 6,464 votes (3.84 per cent), securing 47.53 per cent of the total votes polled. The seat witnessed a voter turnout of 84.78 per cent.

This time, Kumaraswamy will contest from this seat, where he is locking horns with Yogeshwara and H.M Revanna of the Congress.

The constituency has a total of 2,16,448 voters, including 1,10,272 female and 9 others.

9. Shikaripura

Another constituency to watch out is the high-stake Shikaripura seat in central Karnataka, which will be contested by former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who is also the BJP's chief ministerial candidate.

Very popular among the Lingayat community, Yeddyurappa would be hoping to win votes from the 50,000-strong community.

The former chief minister contesting the Karnataka polls has not gone down well with the Congress, claiming that the BJP was fielding tainted candidates, like Yeddyurappa.

It is to be noted that Yeddyurappa was credited for helping the BJP to win Karnataka elections in 2008, which was the first time the saffron party came to power in a southern state.

This time, the former chief minister will lock horns with Congress' Goni Malatesha and H.T. Balegar of the JD(S).

In 2013 elections, Yeddyurappa defeated H. S. Shantanna of the Congress with a margin of 24,425 votes (17.63 per cent) securing 49.89 per cent of the total votes polled. The constituency witnessed a voter turnout of 80.24 per cent.

In 2008, he defeated former chief minister S. Bangarappa of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and erstwhile Congress and BJP leader with a margin of 45,927 votes (36.43 per cent), registering 66.22 per cent of the votes polled.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Karnataka election, essentially, is a triangular contest among the incumbent Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S)

The D-Day for the elections in Karnataka is here. In just a few hours, the 4.94-crore strong electorate will begin exercising their franchise to decide the fates of over 2500 candidates, contesting for 222 assembly seats. The Karnataka election, essentially, is a triangular contest among the incumbent Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S). The southern state of Karnataka is one of the three states, where Congress is still in power. The other being Punjab and Mizoram and a union territory, Puducherry. Siddaramaiah, the incumbent chief minister who is also leading the campaign in the state, is highly confident that Congress would retain the state and win with a huge majority. During the past few weeks, he has travelled extensively across the state, wooing voters, while lambasting the BJP for fielding tainted candidates in the high-stake elections. While, the BJP, led by star campaigner Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has left no stones unturned and campaigned extensively in various parts of the state. Not only he has cornered and attacked the Congress on numerous occasions, he has also promised to make a "Nava Karnataka" (New Karnataka) if the party wins. The third force in the state, the JD(S), led by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, is also confident that his party would win enough seats to play a kingmaker role, if not from the government, in case the electorate throws up a fractured mandate. Here is a look at some of the key constituencies and key players: 1. Varuna The high-profile Varuna constituency in Mysuru district was supposed to see a neck-to-neck electoral fight between Siddaramaiah son's Dr. Yathindra and former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa's son, B.Y. Vijayendra. However, the sudden decision by the state BJP unit to not field Vijayendra has pulled the curtains on this big showdown. Siddaramaiah has been contesting from this constituency since 2008. However, he decided to pass on the baton to his son this time. Hence, the constituency would be still making news as Dr. Yathindra (37) will be making his political debut today. Yathindra is now fighting against BJP's Thotadappa Basavaraju and Abhishek S. Manegar of the JD(S). A Congress bastion, Siddaramaiah, in the last election, easily defeated Karnataka Jana Paksha's (KJP) Kapu Siddalingaswamy and Cheluvaraj of the JD(S) by a comfortable margin of 29,641 votes (18.45 per cent), securing 52.53 per cent of the total votes polled. The seat witnessed a voter turnout of 82.43 per cent. In 2008, Congress won with a margin of 18,837 votes (13.16 percent), getting polled by 50.23 per cent of the total voters. There are a total of 2,13,812 voters in the constituency, including over 1 lakh female and 13 other voters. 2. Chamundeshwari Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is fighting from this high-profile constituency and will be facing BJP's S.R. Gopalrao and G.T. Devegowda of the JD (S), a powerful face from the Vokkaliga community and an ex-mentor of the chief minister. Chamundeshwari in Mysuru district is named after the goddess who is worshipped with great fervour during the annual Dasara festival. In the previous two elections, the seat has either gone to the Congress (2008) or the JD (S) (2013). There are a total of 2,89,138 voters in the constituency. Among them over 1.42 lakh are female voters and 32 others. 3. Badami Badami, a tourist town in Bagalkot district in northern Karnataka is renowned for its cave temples. Siddaramaiah is contesting from this constituency and holds prominence here as it is dominated by the Kuruba community, a shepherd community to which the chief minister belongs. Winning the Badami and Chamundeshwari seats would help Siddaramaiah to again stake claim to the state's top post for second consecutive time, if the party wins the elections with a brute majority. The Karnataka Chief Minister is locking horns with B. Sriramulu of the BJP. In the 2013 elections, Congress won the Badami seat with a margin of 15,113 votes (10.87 per cent) securing 41.31 per cent of the total votes polled. The constituency saw a voter turnout of 70.71 per cent. In 2008, however, the BJP won this constituency with a margin of 5,107 votes (4.29 per cent), receiving 44.85 per cent of the votes polled. There are a total of 2,14,834 voters in the constituency, having over 1 lakh female voters and 16 others. 4. Chittapur Priyank Kharge, son of prominent Congress heavyweight Mallikarjun Kharge, will contest from Chittapur seat in Kalaburagi district in north Karnataka. He would be looking to further consolidate his position from this assembly constituency, which has majority Lingayat voters. Priyank's father won in the 2008 elections, with a margin of 17,442 votes (18.25 per cent), registering 52.16 per cent of the votes polled. The young Kharge also won in 2013, with a margin of 31,191 votes (25.21 per cent) securing 56.08 per cent of the total votes polled. Priyank is currently the Minister of State (MoS) for Information Technology (IT) and Tourism in Siddaramaiah's cabinet. He is up against BJP's Valmik Naik. The JD(S), however, has not fielded any candidate for the Chittapur seat. There are a total of 2,28,618 voters in the constituency. Of the total voters, over 1 lakh are female and 32 others. 5. B.T.M. Layout A prominent locality in the southern part of Bengaluru city, former Karnataka Transport Minister and current Home Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy of the Congress is the incumbent MLA of this constituency. The constituency falls on the Bengaluru Urban district of the Lok Sabha seat. In 2013, Reddy won the BTM Layout seat with a margin of 49,048 votes (44.39 per cent), securing 63.1 per cent of the total votes polled. The constituency witnessed a voter turnout of 53.43 per cent. His daughter, Sowmya Reddy is contesting from the Jayanagar seat. There are a total of 2,63,860 voters in the constituency, including more than 1.24 lakh female and 20 other voters. 6. Mandya The Mandya constituency will be a keenly watched electoral battle as it has been termed as the "hotbed of Cauvery politics" by the media. The agricultural lands in the district receive water from the Krishnarajasagara (KRS) Dam, built across Cauvery river. However, successive droughts have reduced the water level of the dam considerably. Mandya has seen massive and violent protests over the sharing of Cauvery river water between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Congress has fielded P. Ravikumar, who will lock horns with M. Srinivas of the JD(S) and N. Shivanna of the BJP. In 2013 elections, popular Kannada actor Ambareesh won from this seat for Congress with a margin of 42,937 votes (28.1 per cent), securing 59.11 per cent of the total votes polled. The constituency witnessed a voter turnout of 68.58 per cent. In 2008, the JD(S) won the Mandya seat with a margin of 10,529 votes (8.11 percent) registering 36.39 per cent of the votes polled. There are a total of 2,21,658 voters in the constituency. Among the total, over 1.1 lakh are female and 35 others voters. 7. Ramanagaram and Channapatna Like Siddaramaiah, former chief minister and JD(S) heavyweight H.D. Kumaraswamy will be contesting from the constituencies of Ramanagaram and Channapatna respectively. The decision by Kumaraswamy to contest from these two seats in Ramanagaram district is seen as an opportunity for the party to return to the centre stage of Karnataka politics. In Ramanagaram, which is a predominant JD(S) seat, Kumaraswamy won in both 2008 and 2013 elections. He will face Leelavathi of the BJP and Iqbal Hussain of the JD(S) from this seat. In the 2013 elections, he defeated Congress candidate Maridevaru with a margin of 25,398 votes (17.08 per cent), securing 56.12 per cent of the total votes polled. The Ramanagaram constituency witnessed a voter turnout of 80.58 per cent. In 2008, Kumaraswamy defeated BJP's M Rudresha with a margin of 47,260 votes. There are a total of 2,05,031 voters in the constituency. Among them 1,02,978 female and 25 other voters. In Channapatna, the JD(S) leader's wife Anitha Kumaraswamy lost to Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate, C.P. Yogeshwara in the 2013 elections, with a margin of 6,464 votes (3.84 per cent), securing 47.53 per cent of the total votes polled. The seat witnessed a voter turnout of 84.78 per cent. This time, Kumaraswamy will contest from this seat, where he is locking horns with Yogeshwara and H.M Revanna of the Congress. The constituency has a total of 2,16,448 voters, including 1,10,272 female and 9 others. 9. Shikaripura Another constituency to watch out is the high-stake Shikaripura seat in central Karnataka, which will be contested by former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who is also the BJP's chief ministerial candidate. Very popular among the Lingayat community, Yeddyurappa would be hoping to win votes from the 50,000-strong community. The former chief minister contesting the Karnataka polls has not gone down well with the Congress, claiming that the BJP was fielding tainted candidates, like Yeddyurappa. It is to be noted that Yeddyurappa was credited for helping the BJP to win Karnataka elections in 2008, which was the first time the saffron party came to power in a southern state. This time, the former chief minister will lock horns with Congress' Goni Malatesha and H.T. Balegar of the JD(S). In 2013 elections, Yeddyurappa defeated H. S. Shantanna of the Congress with a margin of 24,425 votes (17.63 per cent) securing 49.89 per cent of the total votes polled. The constituency witnessed a voter turnout of 80.24 per cent. In 2008, he defeated former chief minister S. Bangarappa of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and erstwhile Congress and BJP leader with a margin of 45,927 votes (36.43 per cent), registering 66.22 per cent of the votes polled.

Karnataka polls: Here are the key constituencies to watch out

Almost five crore citizens of Karnataka will visit polling booths to exercise their franchise to elect their representatives to the state assembly on Saturday.

The election in Karnataka is considered crucial for the Congress Party, as it would be looking to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) juggernaut from expanding its footprints in the south.

Since the 2014 general election, the Congress has been defeated by the BJP in over a dozen states, drastically shrinking its political footprint.

The BJP is making an all-out bid to oust the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka and is looking to come back to power in the state with BS&nbsp;Yeddyurappa, its chief ministerial candidate.

Interestingly, no incumbent government has been re-elected in Karnataka since 1985.

The Janata Dal (Secular) is looking to establish itself once again in Karnataka politics and is expected to give a tough fight to both the BJP and the Congress.

Voting for the 224-member assembly will begin at 7 am across Karnataka on Saturday morning, except in Jayanagar constituency, following the demise of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate B&nbsp;N&nbsp;Vijayakumar on May 4.

The polling will continue till 6 pm in 58,546 polling stations each, equipped with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails. (VVPATs).

A total of 2,654 candidates are in the fray and 4.96-crore electorate, including 2.44 crore women, will cast their votes.

Over 15 lakh people are first-time voters in the 18-19 age group.

Tight security is in place to ensure smooth and peaceful polling across the 224 assembly constituencies spread across 30 districts.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded 223 candidates, while Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) have fielded 222 and 201 seats respectively.

Out of the 224 seats, 36 of them are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs), while 15 of them are for Scheduled Tribes (STs).

The majority mark for any party to form the government is 112 in the 225-member assembly. While elections are held for 224 seats, one member is nominated by the state governor from the Anglo-Indian community.

Votes will be counted and results declared on May 15.

Of the 2,564 candidates analysed, about 883 (34 per cent) are crorepati candidates.

Party wise, nearly all the candidates of both the national parties, Congress and the BJP, are crorepatis.

Congress has 207 (94 per cent) crorepati candidates, while the BJP has 208 (93 per cent) millionaire contestants.

Not far behind is the Janata Dal (United) (JD-U), with its 154 (77 per cent) crorepati contestants.

In addition to crorepati candidates, 645, or 24 per cent, contestants are such who have criminal cases registered against them.

Further, 25 per cent seats have been declared red alert constituencies.This means there 56 assembly constituencies wherein three or more candidates with declared criminal cases are contesting in the Karnataka election.

Meanwhile, the smallest constituency in terms of area is Dasarahalli seat in Bengaluru Urban district.

It measures just 8.91 sq km in size and has 2.3 lakh male and 2 lakh female voters.

PN&nbsp;Krishnamurthy from Congress and R&nbsp;Manjunatha from JD(S) will fight two-time BJP MLA S Muniraju for the seat.

The biggest constituency in terms of area is the Haliyal seat located in Uttara Kannada district in north Karnataka.

Congress leader RV&nbsp;Deshpande, who is the Medium and Heavy Industries Minister is the incumbent MLA from this seat.

He will face KR&nbsp;Ramesh of JD(S) and Sunil V&nbsp;Hegde of the BJP respectively to defend his seat.

In terms of the size of the electorate, Sringeri is the smallest constituency. It is a prominent religious town situated in the hilly Chikkamagaluru district in south Karnataka and has been a BJP bastion since 2004.

It has 1.6 lakh voters. Sitting MLA DN&nbsp;Jeevaraj of the BJP will take on Congress` TD&nbsp;Rajegowda and JD(S)` HG&nbsp;Venkatesh.

While in Bengaluru South, which has the biggest electorate of 5.5 lakh voters, will witness the contest among BJP`s incumbent MLA M.

Krishnappa, Congress` R.K. Ramesh and JD(S)` R. Prabhakar Reddy.

In 2013, the Congress won with an absolute majority. It won 122 seats, 10 more than the majority mark of 112, while the BJP and JD(S) won 40 seats each.

The voter turnout recorded then was 71.29 percent.

Other parties bagged 22 seats in the 224-seat legislative assembly.

Siddaramaiah was sworn in as the new chief minister after the election.

Interestingly, no incumbent government has been re-elected in Karnataka since 1985

Almost five crore citizens of Karnataka will visit polling booths to exercise their franchise to elect their representatives to the state assembly on Saturday. The election in Karnataka is considered crucial for the Congress Party, as it would be looking to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) juggernaut from expanding its footprints in the south. Since the 2014 general election, the Congress has been defeated by the BJP in over a dozen states, drastically shrinking its political footprint. The BJP is making an all-out bid to oust the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka and is looking to come back to power in the state with BS Yeddyurappa, its chief ministerial candidate. Interestingly, no incumbent government has been re-elected in Karnataka since 1985. The Janata Dal (Secular) is looking to establish itself once again in Karnataka politics and is expected to give a tough fight to both the BJP and the Congress. Voting for the 224-member assembly will begin at 7 am across Karnataka on Saturday morning, except in Jayanagar constituency, following the demise of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate B N Vijayakumar on May 4. The polling will continue till 6 pm in 58,546 polling stations each, equipped with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails. (VVPATs). A total of 2,654 candidates are in the fray and 4.96-crore electorate, including 2.44 crore women, will cast their votes. Over 15 lakh people are first-time voters in the 18-19 age group. Tight security is in place to ensure smooth and peaceful polling across the 224 assembly constituencies spread across 30 districts. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded 223 candidates, while Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) have fielded 222 and 201 seats respectively. Out of the 224 seats, 36 of them are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs), while 15 of them are for Scheduled Tribes (STs). The majority mark for any party to form the government is 112 in the 225-member assembly. While elections are held for 224 seats, one member is nominated by the state governor from the Anglo-Indian community. Votes will be counted and results declared on May 15. Of the 2,564 candidates analysed, about 883 (34 per cent) are crorepati candidates. Party wise, nearly all the candidates of both the national parties, Congress and the BJP, are crorepatis. Congress has 207 (94 per cent) crorepati candidates, while the BJP has 208 (93 per cent) millionaire contestants. Not far behind is the Janata Dal (United) (JD-U), with its 154 (77 per cent) crorepati contestants. In addition to crorepati candidates, 645, or 24 per cent, contestants are such who have criminal cases registered against them. Further, 25 per cent seats have been declared red alert constituencies.This means there 56 assembly constituencies wherein three or more candidates with declared criminal cases are contesting in the Karnataka election. Meanwhile, the smallest constituency in terms of area is Dasarahalli seat in Bengaluru Urban district. It measures just 8.91 sq km in size and has 2.3 lakh male and 2 lakh female voters. PN Krishnamurthy from Congress and R Manjunatha from JD(S) will fight two-time BJP MLA S Muniraju for the seat. The biggest constituency in terms of area is the Haliyal seat located in Uttara Kannada district in north Karnataka. Congress leader RV Deshpande, who is the Medium and Heavy Industries Minister is the incumbent MLA from this seat. He will face KR Ramesh of JD(S) and Sunil V Hegde of the BJP respectively to defend his seat. In terms of the size of the electorate, Sringeri is the smallest constituency. It is a prominent religious town situated in the hilly Chikkamagaluru district in south Karnataka and has been a BJP bastion since 2004. It has 1.6 lakh voters. Sitting MLA DN Jeevaraj of the BJP will take on Congress` TD Rajegowda and JD(S)` HG Venkatesh. While in Bengaluru South, which has the biggest electorate of 5.5 lakh voters, will witness the contest among BJP`s incumbent MLA M. Krishnappa, Congress` R.K. Ramesh and JD(S)` R. Prabhakar Reddy. In 2013, the Congress won with an absolute majority. It won 122 seats, 10 more than the majority mark of 112, while the BJP and JD(S) won 40 seats each. The voter turnout recorded then was 71.29 percent. Other parties bagged 22 seats in the 224-seat legislative assembly. Siddaramaiah was sworn in as the new chief minister after the election.

Karnataka votes as Congress attempts to prevent BJP juggernaut

Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party workers clashed outside a polling booth in Bengaluru's Hampi Nagar on Saturday, allegedly after Congress workers thrashed a BJP corporator.

"Our corporator Anand was attacked but police isn't taking any action," said Vijayanagar BJP candidate Ravindra.

The clash between BJP and Congress workers took place within 100 meters of the booth, police said, adding that the matter is being investigated.

"It is a sensitive polling booth and the clash between BJP and Congress workers happened within 100 meters of the booth. We will investigate and take further action," Bengaluru District Commissioner P Ravi Channannavar said.&nbsp

Polling at 58,546 polling stations across the state is underway for 222 out of 224 assembly seats.

The election in two constituencies, Jayanagar and RR Nagar, has been postponed.

A total of 2,654 candidates are in the fray and 4.96-crore electorates, including 2.44 crore women, are registered to cast their votes. Over 15 lakh people are first-time voters in the 18-19 age group.&nbsp

The counting of votes and announcement of results will take place on May 15. 
&nbsp

The scuffle broke out after Congress workers allegedly thrashed a BJP corporator

Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party workers clashed outside a polling booth in Bengaluru's Hampi Nagar on Saturday, allegedly after Congress workers thrashed a BJP corporator. "Our corporator Anand was attacked but police isn't taking any action," said Vijayanagar BJP candidate Ravindra. The clash between BJP and Congress workers took place within 100 meters of the booth, police said, adding that the matter is being investigated. "It is a sensitive polling booth and the clash between BJP and Congress workers happened within 100 meters of the booth. We will investigate and take further action," Bengaluru District Commissioner P Ravi Channannavar said. Polling at 58,546 polling stations across the state is underway for 222 out of 224 assembly seats. The election in two constituencies, Jayanagar and RR Nagar, has been postponed. A total of 2,654 candidates are in the fray and 4.96-crore electorates, including 2.44 crore women, are registered to cast their votes. Over 15 lakh people are first-time voters in the 18-19 age group. The counting of votes and announcement of results will take place on May 15.

Karnataka elections: BJP, Congress workers clash outside polling booth

Pooh-poohing BJP chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa’s claim that his party will win 150 seats and form the government in the state on May 17, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called him ''mentally disturbed''.&nbsp;

''Yeddyurappa is mentally disturbed. Congress will get more than 120 seats. I am very confident.'' said the incumbent chief minister of the Congress party.&nbsp;

He also accused JD (S) of distributing money in Chamundeshwari constituency.&nbsp;

JD (S) has distributed a lot of money at Chamundeshwari constituency, the CM said and added that their candidate in the constituency claims that he is a society secretary, from where did he get so much money? he asked.

Accusing the&nbsp;BJP of is openly supporting JD (S), the CM said that they have&nbsp;fielded a dummy candidate in Chamundeshwari constituency. &nbsp;

Earlier on Saturday, after casting his vote, BS Yeddyurappa exuded confidence that his party will form the new government in Karnataka on May 17 after thumping victory.

BS Yeddyurappa is the BJP candidate from Shikaripura.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also expressed confidence of victory. Congress will win more than 130 seats and the corrupt and criminal Yeddy-Reddy gang will be rejected by the people of Karnataka.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot questioned the timing of Modi's temple visits in Nepal. Modi's Temple visits in Nepal are aimed at influencing the voters, the Congress leader said.&nbsp;

As there is a model code of conduct in Karnataka, PM Modi planned to pray at temples in Nepal instead, just to influence voters, he said and added that this is not a good trend for democracy. Why did he only choose today as the day? Gehlot asked.&nbsp;

''Over the years, I feel that malpractices have increased. Distribution of sarees. alcohol, dhotis and&nbsp;cookers have come out in open. It is not a good sign in democracy,'' former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde said after casting his vote at a polling booth in Bengaluru.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: As voting in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> continues, CM Siddaramaiah says, 'Yeddyurappa is mentally disturbed. Congress will get more than 120 seats. I am very confident.' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/yE6isfZcYq">pic.twitter.com/yE6isfZcYq</a>
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JDS has distributed a lot of money, their candidate says he is a society secretary, so from where did he get so much money? Also, BJP is openly supporting JDS, they have put up a dummy candidate here: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Chamundeshwari constituency <a href="https://t.co/TzQmd44S70">pic.twitter.com/TzQmd44S70</a>
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&nbsp;

Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said Modi's Temple visits in Nepal are aimed at influencing the voters.

Pooh-poohing BJP chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa’s claim that his party will win 150 seats and form the government in the state on May 17, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called him ''mentally disturbed''. ''Yeddyurappa is mentally disturbed. Congress will get more than 120 seats. I am very confident.'' said the incumbent chief minister of the Congress party. He also accused JD (S) of distributing money in Chamundeshwari constituency. JD (S) has distributed a lot of money at Chamundeshwari constituency, the CM said and added that their candidate in the constituency claims that he is a society secretary, from where did he get so much money? he asked. Accusing the BJP of is openly supporting JD (S), the CM said that they have fielded a dummy candidate in Chamundeshwari constituency. Earlier on Saturday, after casting his vote, BS Yeddyurappa exuded confidence that his party will form the new government in Karnataka on May 17 after thumping victory. BS Yeddyurappa is the BJP candidate from Shikaripura. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also expressed confidence of victory. Congress will win more than 130 seats and the corrupt and criminal Yeddy-Reddy gang will be rejected by the people of Karnataka. Meanwhile, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot questioned the timing of Modi's temple visits in Nepal. Modi's Temple visits in Nepal are aimed at influencing the voters, the Congress leader said. As there is a model code of conduct in Karnataka, PM Modi planned to pray at temples in Nepal instead, just to influence voters, he said and added that this is not a good trend for democracy. Why did he only choose today as the day? Gehlot asked. ''Over the years, I feel that malpractices have increased. Distribution of sarees. alcohol, dhotis and cookers have come out in open. It is not a good sign in democracy,'' former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde said after casting his vote at a polling booth in Bengaluru. #WATCH: As voting in #Karnataka continues, CM Siddaramaiah says, 'Yeddyurappa is mentally disturbed. Congress will get more than 120 seats. I am very confident.' #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/yE6isfZcYq — ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2018 × JDS has distributed a lot of money, their candidate says he is a society secretary, so from where did he get so much money? Also, BJP is openly supporting JDS, they have put up a dummy candidate here: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Chamundeshwari constituency pic.twitter.com/TzQmd44S70 — ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2018 ×

'Yeddyurappa is mentally disturbed': Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Campaigning in Karnataka has come to an end, with high-intensity rallies being carried out by both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to woo voters in their favour in both rural and urban areas.

According to Election Commission data, Karnataka consists of 70 urban and 154 rural assembly constituencies.

While nearly half of the urban constituencies are in Bengaluru city (28), the rest are spread across seven city corporations - 43 city municipal councils (CMCs), 65 town municipal councils (TMCs) and 92 town panchayats (TPs).

Drawing from the experience of the Gujarat assembly elections in December last year, it was observed then that the BJP held strong ground in urban Gujarat, while the Congress had the rural voter segment in its grip.

Assembly polls in Karnataka take place tomorrow, and it will be worth a watch to see whether the BJP can work its magic in rural and urban areas, or will they concede defeat to the grand old party for the second time.

While the election results in Gujarat depicted a clear urban-rural divide, a similar situation is hard to ascertain in Karnataka, based on the results of the past two elections.

A cursory glance at the 2008 and 2013 elections in Karnataka shows that results could go either way, thereby eliminating the possibility of a clear-cut pattern in voting.

Taking Bengaluru into account, which has the most urban constituencies, the BJP, in 2008, won in 17 out of 28 seats, while the Congress won nearly 60 percent of the rural seats in the state.

Tables, however, turned in 2013, with the Congress winning 13 seats, one more than the BJP.

It must also be noted that in 2008, campaigning largely focused on the rural population, while in 2013, the urban voter dominated the decision-making process.

While the rural population is looking forward to increased availability of electricity, clean drinking water, education and job opportunities, the urban voter is more concerned about commuting through the harrowing, traffic congested streets of India`s IT hub.

Opinion polls conducted across the state have shown that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah`s campaign is leaning towards the rural population, be it his emphasis on promoting Kannada or the importance of preserving the state`s culture and heritage.

While these may garner votes in the Congress` favour, the alarming rate of farmer suicides in this stratum could swing votes in either direction.

The BJP too has been capitalising on the opportunity to hold the Siddaramaiah government responsible for the plight of farmers and the lack of basic amenities, which may open doors for the former to woo rural voters.

Opinion polls have also stated that the BJP may secure a higher share of votes in urban Karnataka, as many feel that issues related to Bengaluru have not been tackled during the Congress reign, be it infrastructural congestion, growing traffic, pollution of lakes, inefficient management of garbage, delays in the Metro rail construction, all of which have contributed to a disruptive existence.

Although campaigning has been extensively rural-centric, the urban voters, along with the final stance of the Janata Dal (Secular) would be game-changers.

Karnataka will elect representatives to 224-seat assembly on May 15. A total of 2,655 candidates are in the fray and 4.96 lakh people, including 2.52 crore men and 2.44 crore women, will take part in the election.

Over 15 lakh are first-time voters in the 18-19 years age group.

The population of Karnataka in 2018 as per estimated data is over 68 million. The literacy rate is 75.36 percent as per latest data.

About 84 percent of its people are Hindu, 13 percent Muslim, 1.9 percent Christian, 0.16 percent Buddhist and 0.05 percent Sikh.

Kannada is the official language of the state and is spoken by 66.26 percent of the population.

The population density of the state is 319 persons per square kilometre. The number of people living per square kilometer in the city has extended to 4,378 in the year 2011 from 2,985 in 2001.

The BJP has fielded 224 candidates, while Congress and JD (S) have fielded 222 and 201 seats respectively.

The election is considered significant for the incumbent Congress, who wants to retain power in the southern state ahead of the next year`s general elections, while the BJP is going the extra mile to dethrone the Siddaramaiah government and come back to power after a decade under the leadership of former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

The JD(S), too, is looking to establish itself once again in the state`s politics and is being perceived as a game changer in the state.

Karnataka consists of 70 urban and 154 rural assembly constituencies.

Campaigning in Karnataka has come to an end, with high-intensity rallies being carried out by both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to woo voters in their favour in both rural and urban areas. According to Election Commission data, Karnataka consists of 70 urban and 154 rural assembly constituencies. While nearly half of the urban constituencies are in Bengaluru city (28), the rest are spread across seven city corporations - 43 city municipal councils (CMCs), 65 town municipal councils (TMCs) and 92 town panchayats (TPs). Drawing from the experience of the Gujarat assembly elections in December last year, it was observed then that the BJP held strong ground in urban Gujarat, while the Congress had the rural voter segment in its grip. Assembly polls in Karnataka take place tomorrow, and it will be worth a watch to see whether the BJP can work its magic in rural and urban areas, or will they concede defeat to the grand old party for the second time. While the election results in Gujarat depicted a clear urban-rural divide, a similar situation is hard to ascertain in Karnataka, based on the results of the past two elections. A cursory glance at the 2008 and 2013 elections in Karnataka shows that results could go either way, thereby eliminating the possibility of a clear-cut pattern in voting. Taking Bengaluru into account, which has the most urban constituencies, the BJP, in 2008, won in 17 out of 28 seats, while the Congress won nearly 60 percent of the rural seats in the state. Tables, however, turned in 2013, with the Congress winning 13 seats, one more than the BJP. It must also be noted that in 2008, campaigning largely focused on the rural population, while in 2013, the urban voter dominated the decision-making process. While the rural population is looking forward to increased availability of electricity, clean drinking water, education and job opportunities, the urban voter is more concerned about commuting through the harrowing, traffic congested streets of India`s IT hub. Opinion polls conducted across the state have shown that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah`s campaign is leaning towards the rural population, be it his emphasis on promoting Kannada or the importance of preserving the state`s culture and heritage. While these may garner votes in the Congress` favour, the alarming rate of farmer suicides in this stratum could swing votes in either direction. The BJP too has been capitalising on the opportunity to hold the Siddaramaiah government responsible for the plight of farmers and the lack of basic amenities, which may open doors for the former to woo rural voters. Opinion polls have also stated that the BJP may secure a higher share of votes in urban Karnataka, as many feel that issues related to Bengaluru have not been tackled during the Congress reign, be it infrastructural congestion, growing traffic, pollution of lakes, inefficient management of garbage, delays in the Metro rail construction, all of which have contributed to a disruptive existence. Although campaigning has been extensively rural-centric, the urban voters, along with the final stance of the Janata Dal (Secular) would be game-changers. Karnataka will elect representatives to 224-seat assembly on May 15. A total of 2,655 candidates are in the fray and 4.96 lakh people, including 2.52 crore men and 2.44 crore women, will take part in the election. Over 15 lakh are first-time voters in the 18-19 years age group. The population of Karnataka in 2018 as per estimated data is over 68 million. The literacy rate is 75.36 percent as per latest data. About 84 percent of its people are Hindu, 13 percent Muslim, 1.9 percent Christian, 0.16 percent Buddhist and 0.05 percent Sikh. Kannada is the official language of the state and is spoken by 66.26 percent of the population. The population density of the state is 319 persons per square kilometre. The number of people living per square kilometer in the city has extended to 4,378 in the year 2011 from 2,985 in 2001. The BJP has fielded 224 candidates, while Congress and JD (S) have fielded 222 and 201 seats respectively. The election is considered significant for the incumbent Congress, who wants to retain power in the southern state ahead of the next year`s general elections, while the BJP is going the extra mile to dethrone the Siddaramaiah government and come back to power after a decade under the leadership of former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa. The JD(S), too, is looking to establish itself once again in the state`s politics and is being perceived as a game changer in the state.

Urban-rural divide key to Karnataka poll outcome

BJP workers allegedly barged into the house of a Congress worker at Sajeepamooda village of Bantwal taluk on Thursday midnight and attacked him and his wife.

According to police, a gang of over a dozen people entered Bantwal taluk panchayat member Sanjeeva Poojary's house and thrashed him and his wife.&nbsp;

The gang members also damaged his car, destroyed his furniture and the window panes before fleeing the spot.

Sanjeev is a close aid of district minister and Bantwal Congress candidate B Ramanath Rai.

Later, Sanjeev and his wife were admitted to Fr Muller Hospital in Thumbe.&nbsp;

Bantwal rural police have registered a case.

The gang members also damaged his car, destroyed his furniture and the window panes before fleeing the spot.

BJP workers allegedly barged into the house of a Congress worker at Sajeepamooda village of Bantwal taluk on Thursday midnight and attacked him and his wife. According to police, a gang of over a dozen people entered Bantwal taluk panchayat member Sanjeeva Poojary's house and thrashed him and his wife. The gang members also damaged his car, destroyed his furniture and the window panes before fleeing the spot. Sanjeev is a close aid of district minister and Bantwal Congress candidate B Ramanath Rai. Later, Sanjeev and his wife were admitted to Fr Muller Hospital in Thumbe. Bantwal rural police have registered a case.

Karnataka polls: Congress leader attacked allegedly by BJP workers

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel today said that Rahul Gandhi is the party's prime ministerial candidate for the next national election.

Asked as to how he saw the Congress chief's comment yesterday that he was ready to occupy the prime ministerial post if the Congress emerges as the single largest party in the Lok Sabha polls, Patel said, "The Congress president has already said something. It all depends on who will get how many seats. Our candidate will be Rahul Gandhi,"&nbsp

"But ultimately it will all depend on the (Lok Sabha poll) results," Patel told reporters here, maintaining that Gandhi's claim did not make him "arrogant."

"After all he (Gandhi) is the president of the Congress party...If we don't get a majority, others (alliance parties) will definitely be consulted. This is not arrogance. If he says he cannot become the prime minister, it will demoralise the party," Patel added.

In reply to a question, Patel alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "learnt from China" how to showcase a few big projects to create the impression that there is a lot of development.

"He has learnt it from China how to build big projects and showcase them as development. But if you go a bit deeper, there is no development. The Sabarmati river front, the bullet train, the Metro trains are sold as development. But if you go to villages, there is no development. Government schools are shutting down," he alleged.

Patel exuded confidence that the Congress will be getting the majority in the Karnataka Assembly elections by crossing the magic figure of 112.

He also said his party will continue to press the demand of use of ballot paper in the general elections.

Patel led a delegation of Congress MLAs today who made a representation to governor O P Kohli "against the Gujarat government's anti-farmer policies and attempts to subvert the Panchayati Raj Act".

Patel said the representation was against the BJP government's methods of land acquisition for the bullet train and Dholera SIR projects which went "against the spirit" of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.

The party also protested the government's move "to usurp constitutional and statutory powers vested in local bodies", he said.

If no action was taken, the party will launch an agitation, he said.

Patel exuded confidence that the Congress will be getting the majority in the Karnataka Assembly elections by crossing the magic figure of 112.

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel today said that Rahul Gandhi is the party's prime ministerial candidate for the next national election. Asked as to how he saw the Congress chief's comment yesterday that he was ready to occupy the prime ministerial post if the Congress emerges as the single largest party in the Lok Sabha polls, Patel said, "The Congress president has already said something. It all depends on who will get how many seats. Our candidate will be Rahul Gandhi," "But ultimately it will all depend on the (Lok Sabha poll) results," Patel told reporters here, maintaining that Gandhi's claim did not make him "arrogant." "After all he (Gandhi) is the president of the Congress party...If we don't get a majority, others (alliance parties) will definitely be consulted. This is not arrogance. If he says he cannot become the prime minister, it will demoralise the party," Patel added. In reply to a question, Patel alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "learnt from China" how to showcase a few big projects to create the impression that there is a lot of development. "He has learnt it from China how to build big projects and showcase them as development. But if you go a bit deeper, there is no development. The Sabarmati river front, the bullet train, the Metro trains are sold as development. But if you go to villages, there is no development. Government schools are shutting down," he alleged. Patel exuded confidence that the Congress will be getting the majority in the Karnataka Assembly elections by crossing the magic figure of 112. He also said his party will continue to press the demand of use of ballot paper in the general elections. Patel led a delegation of Congress MLAs today who made a representation to governor O P Kohli "against the Gujarat government's anti-farmer policies and attempts to subvert the Panchayati Raj Act". Patel said the representation was against the BJP government's methods of land acquisition for the bullet train and Dholera SIR projects which went "against the spirit" of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. The party also protested the government's move "to usurp constitutional and statutory powers vested in local bodies", he said. If no action was taken, the party will launch an agitation, he said.

Rahul Gandhi is our prime ministerial candidate: Ahmed Patel

Karnataka election is around the corner and after two days from now, 49.7 million voters of the state will seal the fate of 314 candidates in ballot boxes. But who will be the choice of the people: Siddaramaiah or Yeddyurappa? Congress or BJP? Well, it's a challenging task to judge.

Before arriving at any conclusion, let's look at what works for these parties and what doesn't:

Caste and regional dynamics: Karnataka is majorly divided into five regions - Bengaluru, Coastal Karnataka, Bombay Karnataka, Hyderabad Karnataka, Old Mysuru and Central Karnataka. Each of the regions is dominated by different castes and communities. In 2013, BJP was majorly supported by the middle-class population of Bengaluru where it won 12 out of 28 seats and some Lingayats in Bombay Karnataka where it managed to get hold on 13 seats out of 50. However, maximum number of seats - 31 - in Bombay Karnataka went to Congress. This time, with Yeddyurappa's comeback, who comes from Lingayat community, their support for the party is expected to be much more.

In 2013, BJP performed poorly in Old Mysuru region where it only won four out of 61 seats whereas Congress won 27. Vokkaligas, another major community in Karnataka, is dominant in this region. The votes of this community were divided between BJP, Congress and Janta Dal Secular with JD(S) having a majority. The BJP has tried to play it safe this time by praising JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda. But will it resonate positively with the Gowdas, only time will tell.

Also, Hyderabad Karnataka region was an area of concern with only five out of 50 seats. This region is dominated by SC/STs and Muslim population. Compared to 2013, BJP is expected to perform better in this area. Also, in the Central Karnataka region, which is dominated by Hindu population, BJP did badly in 2013 by winning just three out of 26 seats but is seen stronger this time as per various reports.

2014 Lok Sabha election: In 2014, BJP won 17 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state which means 61 per cent seats. Going by this logic, BJP might win more than 130 seats in the state assembly in this election. However, the vote share in 2014 was 43.37 per cent, which might not be possible to get this time. But the 2014 election hints towards another important thing - the caste factor. As per a post-poll survey done by Lokniti-CSDS, 62% of upper castes and 63% of Lingayats supported BJP, on the other hand, Muslim, SC/ST and OBC voters supported Congress but not entirely. BJP managed to get 25% of the Muslim votes which forms 12.5% of the state's population. Also, 35% of the SC/ST voters exercised their franchise in favour of BJP which forms around one-fourth population of the state.

Congress, meanwhile, won nine Lok Sabha seats from Karnataka in 2014, 32 per cent of the 28 Lok Sabha seats. The percentage will translate to 72 seats in this assembly election. Going by caste dynamics, the Lokniti-CSDS post-poll survey of 2014 election stated that 68% of Muslims, 58% of STs, 43% of SCs and 44% of other OBCs voted in favour of Congress.

Vote share and polling percentage: The vote share analysis suggests that the Congress has a fixed voter base in the state and there has not been much difference in the 2008 Assembly election results, when Congress won just 80 seats, and 2013 when it won 110 seats. The 2008 vote share was 34.76% as against 2013 when it got 36.59% votes. Also, the 2013 election shows that when people did not vote for BJP, their votes was not transferred to Congress either. Thus, there is a limited scope for Congress to get benefit from their non-traditional voters but BJP has the scope of consolidating the remaining 65% voters which are very unlikely to vote for Congress.

The Narendra Modi impact: The BJP has projected Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a big way. He has addressed a lot of rallies during his campaigning in Karnataka and has also been using the NaMo app to address the voters directly. While the party is confident that 'Modi Magic' will work for it, it is always better to exercise little bit of caution.

Rahul Gandhi and his team: Congress president Rahul Gandhi, though has expressed readiness to become the Prime Minister if given a chance, he has not yet made a strong impact through his campaigning or statements. Moreover, other leaders of his party are risking too much in the poll season with statements like 'Shri Jinnah' and 'Qaid-i-Azam' in honour of the so-called culprit of India-Pakistan partition. These comments do not work well with the people and can cost some seats for Congress in the coming elections.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A look at past performances of Congress and BJP and what could work in their favour in this election.

Karnataka election is around the corner and after two days from now, 49.7 million voters of the state will seal the fate of 314 candidates in ballot boxes. But who will be the choice of the people: Siddaramaiah or Yeddyurappa? Congress or BJP? Well, it's a challenging task to judge. Before arriving at any conclusion, let's look at what works for these parties and what doesn't: Caste and regional dynamics: Karnataka is majorly divided into five regions - Bengaluru, Coastal Karnataka, Bombay Karnataka, Hyderabad Karnataka, Old Mysuru and Central Karnataka. Each of the regions is dominated by different castes and communities. In 2013, BJP was majorly supported by the middle-class population of Bengaluru where it won 12 out of 28 seats and some Lingayats in Bombay Karnataka where it managed to get hold on 13 seats out of 50. However, maximum number of seats - 31 - in Bombay Karnataka went to Congress. This time, with Yeddyurappa's comeback, who comes from Lingayat community, their support for the party is expected to be much more. In 2013, BJP performed poorly in Old Mysuru region where it only won four out of 61 seats whereas Congress won 27. Vokkaligas, another major community in Karnataka, is dominant in this region. The votes of this community were divided between BJP, Congress and Janta Dal Secular with JD(S) having a majority. The BJP has tried to play it safe this time by praising JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda. But will it resonate positively with the Gowdas, only time will tell. Also, Hyderabad Karnataka region was an area of concern with only five out of 50 seats. This region is dominated by SC/STs and Muslim population. Compared to 2013, BJP is expected to perform better in this area. Also, in the Central Karnataka region, which is dominated by Hindu population, BJP did badly in 2013 by winning just three out of 26 seats but is seen stronger this time as per various reports. 2014 Lok Sabha election: In 2014, BJP won 17 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state which means 61 per cent seats. Going by this logic, BJP might win more than 130 seats in the state assembly in this election. However, the vote share in 2014 was 43.37 per cent, which might not be possible to get this time. But the 2014 election hints towards another important thing - the caste factor. As per a post-poll survey done by Lokniti-CSDS, 62% of upper castes and 63% of Lingayats supported BJP, on the other hand, Muslim, SC/ST and OBC voters supported Congress but not entirely. BJP managed to get 25% of the Muslim votes which forms 12.5% of the state's population. Also, 35% of the SC/ST voters exercised their franchise in favour of BJP which forms around one-fourth population of the state. Congress, meanwhile, won nine Lok Sabha seats from Karnataka in 2014, 32 per cent of the 28 Lok Sabha seats. The percentage will translate to 72 seats in this assembly election. Going by caste dynamics, the Lokniti-CSDS post-poll survey of 2014 election stated that 68% of Muslims, 58% of STs, 43% of SCs and 44% of other OBCs voted in favour of Congress. Vote share and polling percentage: The vote share analysis suggests that the Congress has a fixed voter base in the state and there has not been much difference in the 2008 Assembly election results, when Congress won just 80 seats, and 2013 when it won 110 seats. The 2008 vote share was 34.76% as against 2013 when it got 36.59% votes. Also, the 2013 election shows that when people did not vote for BJP, their votes was not transferred to Congress either. Thus, there is a limited scope for Congress to get benefit from their non-traditional voters but BJP has the scope of consolidating the remaining 65% voters which are very unlikely to vote for Congress. The Narendra Modi impact: The BJP has projected Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a big way. He has addressed a lot of rallies during his campaigning in Karnataka and has also been using the NaMo app to address the voters directly. While the party is confident that 'Modi Magic' will work for it, it is always better to exercise little bit of caution. Rahul Gandhi and his team: Congress president Rahul Gandhi, though has expressed readiness to become the Prime Minister if given a chance, he has not yet made a strong impact through his campaigning or statements. Moreover, other leaders of his party are risking too much in the poll season with statements like 'Shri Jinnah' and 'Qaid-i-Azam' in honour of the so-called culprit of India-Pakistan partition. These comments do not work well with the people and can cost some seats for Congress in the coming elections. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Strengths and weaknesses of BJP and Congress ahead of Karnataka polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday night demanded countermanding of elections in Raj Rajeshwari Nagar constituency of Karanataka in the light of latest revelations of seizure of `fake` voter ID.Earlier, the BJP alleged that around 20,000 fake Voters ID cards were recovered from Congress` Raja Rajeshwari Nagar constituency candidate Muniratna.

Speaking to media over the matter, BJP leader and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, "Congress is losing public support and they are trying hard to rig the upcoming elections in Karnataka by undemocratic ways.

So, we demand countermanding of polls in Raj Rajeshwari Nagar constituency."He further alleged a huge amount of cash was recovered from Badami constituency, from where chief minister Siddaramaiah is contesting the Karnataka polls, and asked the Election Commission (EC) to deploy special election officer in Badami.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Income Tax (IT) Department conducted raids at a resort in Badami, where the Congress leaders are lodging for campaigning purpose.

"In Badami, from where Siddaramaiah is contesting, a huge amount of cash was recovered from that place. This is also a shocking incident. So, the EC should put up special election officer in Badami and they should deploy more paramilitary forces," he added.

Following reports of fake voters IDs, the Election Commission of Karnataka on Tuesday confirmed that they have recovered 9,746 Electors Photo Identity Card from an apartment in Bengaluru`s Jalahalli area of Raja Rajeshwari Nagar constituency.

In a midnight briefing, Sanjiv Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer for Karnataka said that the significance of the counterfoils can only be verified after due investigation.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Earlier on Tuesday, the Income Tax (IT) Department conducted raids at a resort in Badami, where the Congress leaders are lodging for campaigning purpose.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday night demanded countermanding of elections in Raj Rajeshwari Nagar constituency of Karanataka in the light of latest revelations of seizure of `fake` voter ID.Earlier, the BJP alleged that around 20,000 fake Voters ID cards were recovered from Congress` Raja Rajeshwari Nagar constituency candidate Muniratna. Speaking to media over the matter, BJP leader and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, "Congress is losing public support and they are trying hard to rig the upcoming elections in Karnataka by undemocratic ways. So, we demand countermanding of polls in Raj Rajeshwari Nagar constituency."He further alleged a huge amount of cash was recovered from Badami constituency, from where chief minister Siddaramaiah is contesting the Karnataka polls, and asked the Election Commission (EC) to deploy special election officer in Badami. Earlier on Tuesday, the Income Tax (IT) Department conducted raids at a resort in Badami, where the Congress leaders are lodging for campaigning purpose. "In Badami, from where Siddaramaiah is contesting, a huge amount of cash was recovered from that place. This is also a shocking incident. So, the EC should put up special election officer in Badami and they should deploy more paramilitary forces," he added. Following reports of fake voters IDs, the Election Commission of Karnataka on Tuesday confirmed that they have recovered 9,746 Electors Photo Identity Card from an apartment in Bengaluru`s Jalahalli area of Raja Rajeshwari Nagar constituency. In a midnight briefing, Sanjiv Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer for Karnataka said that the significance of the counterfoils can only be verified after due investigation.

Karnataka polls: BJP demands cancellation of polling in Raja Rajeshwari Nagar

&nbspPrime Minister Narendra Modi will on Monday interact with the Karnataka's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha Karyakartas (workers) via the Narendra Modi (NaMo) App.

Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter and said, "On Monday, 7th May, at 9 AM I look forward to an interaction with @BJP4Karnataka Yuva Morcha Karyakartas via the NaMo App. Our young and energetic Karyakartas are doing commendable work at the grassroots level and popularising the good work of the Central Government among people."

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On Monday, 7th May, at 9 AM I look forward to an interaction with <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Karnataka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4Karnataka</a> Yuva Morcha Karyakartas via the NaMo App. Our young and energetic Karyakartas are doing commendable work at the grassroots level and popularising the good work of the Central Government among people.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/992793991144984577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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On Sunday,&nbspFiring a barrage of barbs at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsplabelled it as a "deal party" that was being uprooted from all over the country and said no one can save it now.

Taking BJP's campaign in poll-bound Karnataka to full throttle, he also accused Congress of "distorting history" as part of a conspiracy to divide society, as he addressed four back-to-back rallies at Chitradurga, Raichur, Jamkhandi and Hubbali in north Karnataka.

Hitting back at Congress for levelling "baseless" charges against BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa,Modi reminded it about the National Herald case in which "the mother and son (Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi) are facing allegations of a scam" and are on bail.

Earlier on May 1, Prime Minister Modi had interacted with Kisan Morcha Karyakartas of BJP's state unit, via the NaMo App, and boosted their morale.

On a related note, Prime Minister Modi kick started a series of election rallies in the poll-bound state on May 1 and held three rallies on the first day alone.

Karnataka will go to polls on May 12 to elect its representatives for the 225-member assembly. The results will be out on May 15.

Karnataka will go to polls on May 12 to elect its representatives for the 225-member assembly. The results will be out on May 15

&nbspPrime Minister Narendra Modi will on Monday interact with the Karnataka's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha Karyakartas (workers) via the Narendra Modi (NaMo) App. Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter and said, "On Monday, 7th May, at 9 AM I look forward to an interaction with @BJP4Karnataka Yuva Morcha Karyakartas via the NaMo App. Our young and energetic Karyakartas are doing commendable work at the grassroots level and popularising the good work of the Central Government among people." On Monday, 7th May, at 9 AM I look forward to an interaction with @BJP4Karnataka Yuva Morcha Karyakartas via the NaMo App. Our young and energetic Karyakartas are doing commendable work at the grassroots level and popularising the good work of the Central Government among people. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 5, 2018 × On Sunday,&nbspFiring a barrage of barbs at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsplabelled it as a "deal party" that was being uprooted from all over the country and said no one can save it now. Taking BJP's campaign in poll-bound Karnataka to full throttle, he also accused Congress of "distorting history" as part of a conspiracy to divide society, as he addressed four back-to-back rallies at Chitradurga, Raichur, Jamkhandi and Hubbali in north Karnataka. Hitting back at Congress for levelling "baseless" charges against BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa,Modi reminded it about the National Herald case in which "the mother and son (Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi) are facing allegations of a scam" and are on bail. Earlier on May 1, Prime Minister Modi had interacted with Kisan Morcha Karyakartas of BJP's state unit, via the NaMo App, and boosted their morale. On a related note, Prime Minister Modi kick started a series of election rallies in the poll-bound state on May 1 and held three rallies on the first day alone. Karnataka will go to polls on May 12 to elect its representatives for the 225-member assembly. The results will be out on May 15.

PM Modi to address Karnataka BJP workers through NaMo app today

Firing a barrage of barbs at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today labelled it as a "deal party" that was being uprooted from all over the country and said no one can save it now.

Taking the BJP's campaign in poll-bound Karnataka to full throttle, he also accused the Congress of "distorting history" as part of a conspiracy to divide the society.

At poll rallies in Chitradurga and Raichur, he flayed the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah for celebrating the "jayantis of sultans" (birth anniversaries of Muslim rulers) for the sake of "vote bank politics".

He was apparently referring to the Siddaramaiah government's controversial decision of celebrating "Tipu Jayanti" every year on November 10, commemorating Tipu Sultan, the legendary 18th-century ruler of Mysore.

Modi accused the Congress of protecting the corrupt, adopting a divide-and-rule policy, making false promises and having no agenda other than "abusing Modi."

Listing out a string of electoral defeats of the Congress, including those in Maharashtra and Tripura, he said, "From every corner of the country, the Congress has gone".

"...And in Karnataka?" he asked the crowd, which said the Congress will be ousted from power in the southern state as well.

"Now they cannot survive. No one can save the Congress now. For 70 years they have misled and befooled the people," Modi said, as he continued his campaign blitz across Karnataka where the party is heavily banking on him.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The state goes to polls on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 15.

At his rally in Chitradurga, Modi, while referring to corruption charges against a minister without naming him, said, "The Congress is a party that neither has dil (heart) nor is it pro-Dalit. It is a deal party."

Targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the prime minister said he always keeps character certificates ready in his suitcase. "Whenever an allegation of corruption against a minister is made, he immediately takes out a character certificate, writes the name and tells the people he is honest.

"The time has come to bid farewell to the Congress party that is not interested in your welfare. Make it a clean sweep for the BJP and send this chief minister home as he only goes around giving clean chits," Modi told the crowd.

Accusing the Congress of sidelining stalwarts like B R Ambedkar and undivided Congress president and former Karnataka chief minister S Nijalingappa, he said the party was interested in promoting only one family and naming "thousands of schemes" after them.

At Raichur, he said the Congress' "new mantra is spreading lies".

The Congress has realised its "vote bank politics is shaken" and, therefore, it has started a campaign for "misleading and spreading lies" among Dalits, and asked them to be aware, Modi said.

The prime minister accused the Congress of not allowing parliament to function because it feared he was "gaining the trust of the people by completing his works successfully one after the other".

He said the Karnataka elections were a contest between the Congress' "misdeeds and people's aspirations".

"On one side is the BJP with the mantra of 'sab ka saath sab ka vikaas (together with all development for all). On the other side is the Congress party that believes in doing everything for one family," he said.

While the BJP was fighting against the corrupt system, the Congress protects the corrupt, he alleged. The BJP was progressing in politics with the"blessings of people", while the Congress was dividing people, creating rift between brothers and following a divide-and-rule policy, Modi said.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The prime minister asked the Congress to give an account of its work in Karnataka in the last five years.

"From morning till evening they just say Modi, Modi, Modi. Other than abusing Modi in this election is there any agenda for the Congress? The time has come to see off such a Congress party," he said.

Taking the BJP's campaign in poll-bound Karnataka to full throttle, he also accused the Congress of "distorting history" as part of a conspiracy to divide the society.

Firing a barrage of barbs at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today labelled it as a "deal party" that was being uprooted from all over the country and said no one can save it now. Taking the BJP's campaign in poll-bound Karnataka to full throttle, he also accused the Congress of "distorting history" as part of a conspiracy to divide the society. At poll rallies in Chitradurga and Raichur, he flayed the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah for celebrating the "jayantis of sultans" (birth anniversaries of Muslim rulers) for the sake of "vote bank politics". He was apparently referring to the Siddaramaiah government's controversial decision of celebrating "Tipu Jayanti" every year on November 10, commemorating Tipu Sultan, the legendary 18th-century ruler of Mysore. Modi accused the Congress of protecting the corrupt, adopting a divide-and-rule policy, making false promises and having no agenda other than "abusing Modi." Listing out a string of electoral defeats of the Congress, including those in Maharashtra and Tripura, he said, "From every corner of the country, the Congress has gone". "...And in Karnataka?" he asked the crowd, which said the Congress will be ousted from power in the southern state as well. "Now they cannot survive. No one can save the Congress now. For 70 years they have misled and befooled the people," Modi said, as he continued his campaign blitz across Karnataka where the party is heavily banking on him. The state goes to polls on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 15. At his rally in Chitradurga, Modi, while referring to corruption charges against a minister without naming him, said, "The Congress is a party that neither has dil (heart) nor is it pro-Dalit. It is a deal party." Targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the prime minister said he always keeps character certificates ready in his suitcase. "Whenever an allegation of corruption against a minister is made, he immediately takes out a character certificate, writes the name and tells the people he is honest. "The time has come to bid farewell to the Congress party that is not interested in your welfare. Make it a clean sweep for the BJP and send this chief minister home as he only goes around giving clean chits," Modi told the crowd. Accusing the Congress of sidelining stalwarts like B R Ambedkar and undivided Congress president and former Karnataka chief minister S Nijalingappa, he said the party was interested in promoting only one family and naming "thousands of schemes" after them. At Raichur, he said the Congress' "new mantra is spreading lies". The Congress has realised its "vote bank politics is shaken" and, therefore, it has started a campaign for "misleading and spreading lies" among Dalits, and asked them to be aware, Modi said. The prime minister accused the Congress of not allowing parliament to function because it feared he was "gaining the trust of the people by completing his works successfully one after the other". He said the Karnataka elections were a contest between the Congress' "misdeeds and people's aspirations". "On one side is the BJP with the mantra of 'sab ka saath sab ka vikaas (together with all development for all). On the other side is the Congress party that believes in doing everything for one family," he said. While the BJP was fighting against the corrupt system, the Congress protects the corrupt, he alleged. The BJP was progressing in politics with the"blessings of people", while the Congress was dividing people, creating rift between brothers and following a divide-and-rule policy, Modi said. The prime minister asked the Congress to give an account of its work in Karnataka in the last five years. "From morning till evening they just say Modi, Modi, Modi. Other than abusing Modi in this election is there any agenda for the Congress? The time has come to see off such a Congress party," he said.

Karnataka polls: Modi dubs Congress a 'deal party', says no one can save it

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will carry out four public rallies in Karnataka on Saturday. The rallies will be held in Tumkur, Gadag, Shimoga, and Mangaluru as a part of his campaign blitzkrieg.&nbsp

PM Modi will begin the day with a rally at Tumakuru at 11:00 am, followed by three more at Gadag, Shivamogga, and Managaluru at 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm respectively.&nbsp

Meanwhile, party president Amit Shah will hold five road shows in the day -- in Piriyapattana constituency at 11:30 am, at T. Narasipura (Varuna) at 2:00 pm, in NR constituency (Mysore) at 4:00 pm, Chamaraja constituency at 5:00 pm, Krishnaraja constituency (Mysore) at 6:30 pm.&nbsp

The prime minister, who was earlier scheduled to address 15 rallies, will now hold 21 public meetings across the poll-bound state.&nbsp

According to reports, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is looking to wrest control from the Congress, may increase Modi's election rallies to 21 from 15.

After addressing today's rallies, he is scheduled to stay back in Mangaluru tonight and will take up campaigning again tomorrow in Chitradurga, Raichur, Jamkhandi, and Hubballi.

As opposed to the earlier schedule, he may also address three public meetings each on May 6 and May 9.

Karnataka BJP president and party's chief ministerial candidate BS&nbspYeddyurappa will accompany the Prime Minister in some of the rallies.

Earlier, he interacted with party's Mahila Morcha of Karnataka through the Namo App.

Karnataka goes to polls on May 12 and 2,655 candidates, including 219 women, are in the poll fray for securing 224 seats up. The results will be declared on May 15.&nbsp

(With inputs from ANI)

Karnataka BJP president and party's chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa will accompany the Prime Minister in some of the rallies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will carry out four public rallies in Karnataka on Saturday. The rallies will be held in Tumkur, Gadag, Shimoga, and Mangaluru as a part of his campaign blitzkrieg. PM Modi will begin the day with a rally at Tumakuru at 11:00 am, followed by three more at Gadag, Shivamogga, and Managaluru at 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm respectively. Meanwhile, party president Amit Shah will hold five road shows in the day -- in Piriyapattana constituency at 11:30 am, at T. Narasipura (Varuna) at 2:00 pm, in NR constituency (Mysore) at 4:00 pm, Chamaraja constituency at 5:00 pm, Krishnaraja constituency (Mysore) at 6:30 pm. The prime minister, who was earlier scheduled to address 15 rallies, will now hold 21 public meetings across the poll-bound state. According to reports, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is looking to wrest control from the Congress, may increase Modi's election rallies to 21 from 15. After addressing today's rallies, he is scheduled to stay back in Mangaluru tonight and will take up campaigning again tomorrow in Chitradurga, Raichur, Jamkhandi, and Hubballi. As opposed to the earlier schedule, he may also address three public meetings each on May 6 and May 9. Karnataka BJP president and party's chief ministerial candidate BS&nbspYeddyurappa will accompany the Prime Minister in some of the rallies. Earlier, he interacted with party's Mahila Morcha of Karnataka through the Namo App. Karnataka goes to polls on May 12 and 2,655 candidates, including 219 women, are in the poll fray for securing 224 seats up. The results will be declared on May 15. (With inputs from ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address rallies in Karnataka today, to hold six more rallies than planned

In a highly caste-ridden state like Karnataka, all election debates centre around&nbsp;caste. The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led ruling Congress is confident of retaining the government while the BJP is also ready with its own data and hopeful of a win.&nbsp;

The JD (S), trying hard to create a badly hung Assembly, claiming that it will come to power is making its own calculations.

The stakes are high for everyone in the high-octane election largely being seen as a semi-final ahead of the final showdown in 2019. The&nbsp;caste equation plays an important role in any election in the country and Karnataka is no different. All parties of the southern state are baking on caste-centric approach, as is evident in their campaign, to win the polls.

Siddaramaiah government conducted a caste census in the state in 2015. Though official results of the same have not been made public, &nbsp;various media outlets reported on the caste divisions in the state, claiming to be from the survey.&nbsp;

According to the census data, Dalits and Muslims outnumber Lingayats and Vokkaligas. The Scheduled Castes (SCs) account for 19.5 per cent of the total population in the state, making it the single-largest caste entity. Muslims come next, making up 16 per cent. These two groups are followed by the Lingayats and Vokkaligas, who make up 14 per cent and 11 per cent of the population, respectively.

Among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the Kurubas alone account for 7 per cent of the state’s population. Overall, the OBCs make up 20 per cent of Karnataka’s population.&nbsp;

As per the data, SCs, STs, Muslims and Kurubas together form 47.5 per cent of the total population, making it the strongest combination. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s AHINDA (Minorities, Backward Classes and Dalits) group would be the most formidable one in the state, forcing Lingayats and Vokkaligas to play second fiddle to them.&nbsp;

The revelations of the survey punched holes in the earlier claims of Lingayats and Vokkaligas that their communities are the majority in the state.&nbsp;

Since Independence, Lingayats and Vokkaligas have been controlling the levers of power, claiming to be the ‘top communities’ in the state. The two castes have always accounted for 50 per cent of the MP and MLA seats from the state, irrespective of the party in power.&nbsp;

Nevertheless, about 80 percent of the 6.5 crore population of Karnataka belongs to Minorities, OBCs, SCs and STs.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah belongs to the backward caste Kurubas, who popularly proclaims himself to be following socio-political philosophy ‘Ahinda’ (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits). Among the crucial election promises of Congress party in the state is to enhance the reservation quota for SCs, STs and OBCs from 50 per cent to 70 per cent, thus wooing voters from minority and vulnerable communities seem to be Congress line of approach.

Siddaramaiah-led Congress government recently accepted an expert committee’s recommendation, and accorded the status of a religion (a minority one) to the Lingayat sect, until now considered a part of Hinduism.

The move, which analysts see as an astute political move and opponents as an opportunistic one with an eye on the forthcoming state elections in Karnataka, acknowledges an almost four-decade-long demand by the Lingayats.

Lingayats currently have 5 per cent reservation and are classified as an Other Backward Class.

BS Yeddyurappa, BJP state president and party’s chief ministerial candidate belongs to Lingayat community, the dominant caste in the state. Despite corruption charges, BJP made him the chief ministerial candidate as his support base among the Lingayat voters remains intact. &nbsp;

The BJP, which has largely been seen as a ‘Lingayat’ party has failed to win the support of the Vokkaliga community. But with former Congressman SM Krishna joining the BJP, the party is trying to win the Vokkaliga votes and make inroads into the Old Mysore region.

On the other hand, JD(S) had earlier announced that its CM candidate as HD Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, belongs to Vokkaligas, another dominant caste in the state.

On 8 February, JD(S) had officially forged an alliance with Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) for the upcoming elections. Therefore hoping support from upper caste Vokkaligas and Dalits. 
&nbsp;

Caste equation plays an important role in any election in the country and Karnataka is no different.

In a highly caste-ridden state like Karnataka, all election debates centre around caste. The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led ruling Congress is confident of retaining the government while the BJP is also ready with its own data and hopeful of a win. The JD (S), trying hard to create a badly hung Assembly, claiming that it will come to power is making its own calculations. The stakes are high for everyone in the high-octane election largely being seen as a semi-final ahead of the final showdown in 2019. The caste equation plays an important role in any election in the country and Karnataka is no different. All parties of the southern state are baking on caste-centric approach, as is evident in their campaign, to win the polls. Siddaramaiah government conducted a caste census in the state in 2015. Though official results of the same have not been made public, various media outlets reported on the caste divisions in the state, claiming to be from the survey. According to the census data, Dalits and Muslims outnumber Lingayats and Vokkaligas. The Scheduled Castes (SCs) account for 19.5 per cent of the total population in the state, making it the single-largest caste entity. Muslims come next, making up 16 per cent. These two groups are followed by the Lingayats and Vokkaligas, who make up 14 per cent and 11 per cent of the population, respectively. Among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the Kurubas alone account for 7 per cent of the state’s population. Overall, the OBCs make up 20 per cent of Karnataka’s population. As per the data, SCs, STs, Muslims and Kurubas together form 47.5 per cent of the total population, making it the strongest combination. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s AHINDA (Minorities, Backward Classes and Dalits) group would be the most formidable one in the state, forcing Lingayats and Vokkaligas to play second fiddle to them. The revelations of the survey punched holes in the earlier claims of Lingayats and Vokkaligas that their communities are the majority in the state. Since Independence, Lingayats and Vokkaligas have been controlling the levers of power, claiming to be the ‘top communities’ in the state. The two castes have always accounted for 50 per cent of the MP and MLA seats from the state, irrespective of the party in power. Nevertheless, about 80 percent of the 6.5 crore population of Karnataka belongs to Minorities, OBCs, SCs and STs. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah belongs to the backward caste Kurubas, who popularly proclaims himself to be following socio-political philosophy ‘Ahinda’ (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits). Among the crucial election promises of Congress party in the state is to enhance the reservation quota for SCs, STs and OBCs from 50 per cent to 70 per cent, thus wooing voters from minority and vulnerable communities seem to be Congress line of approach. Siddaramaiah-led Congress government recently accepted an expert committee’s recommendation, and accorded the status of a religion (a minority one) to the Lingayat sect, until now considered a part of Hinduism. The move, which analysts see as an astute political move and opponents as an opportunistic one with an eye on the forthcoming state elections in Karnataka, acknowledges an almost four-decade-long demand by the Lingayats. Lingayats currently have 5 per cent reservation and are classified as an Other Backward Class. BS Yeddyurappa, BJP state president and party’s chief ministerial candidate belongs to Lingayat community, the dominant caste in the state. Despite corruption charges, BJP made him the chief ministerial candidate as his support base among the Lingayat voters remains intact. The BJP, which has largely been seen as a ‘Lingayat’ party has failed to win the support of the Vokkaliga community. But with former Congressman SM Krishna joining the BJP, the party is trying to win the Vokkaliga votes and make inroads into the Old Mysore region. On the other hand, JD(S) had earlier announced that its CM candidate as HD Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, belongs to Vokkaligas, another dominant caste in the state. On 8 February, JD(S) had officially forged an alliance with Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) for the upcoming elections. Therefore hoping support from upper caste Vokkaligas and Dalits.

Karnataka elections: Caste arithmetic explained

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-karnataka-polls-authorities-seize-cash-articles-worth-rs-152-crore-134795">Ahead of Karnataka polls, authorities seize cash, articles worth Rs 120 crore</a>

The Election Commission-appointed surveillance teams have seized cash, jewellery and other inducements worth over Rs 120 crore in the poll-bound Karnataka, a senior official said today.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-slams-yeddyurappa-for-threatening-voters-134801">Congress slams Yeddyurappa for 'threatening' voters</a>

Congress party on Saturday slammed BJP for ''threatening voters in frustration. A defeatist BJP facing rejection at the hands of Kannadigas is threatening voters in frustration. Mr Yeddyurappa, insulting democracy and intimidating voters will trounce the BJP decisively," tweeted Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-opponents-protest-across-russia-before-his-inauguration-134789">Putin opponents protest across Russia before </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-opponents-protest-across-russia-before-his-inauguration-134789">presidential</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-opponents-protest-across-russia-before-his-inauguration-134789"> inauguration</a>

Critics of Vladimir Putin took to the streets of Russia on Saturday ahead of his inauguration for a fourth presidential term to register their opposition to what they say is his autocratic Tsar-like rule.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-faces-dilemma-over-anti-north-leaflets-as-ties-thaw-134788">South Korea faces </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-faces-dilemma-over-anti-north-leaflets-as-ties-thaw-134788">dilemma</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-faces-dilemma-over-anti-north-leaflets-as-ties-thaw-134788"> over anti-North leaflets as ties thaw</a>

Days after a historic inter-Korean summit Lee Min-bok, a defector who has been flying anti-Pyongyang leaflets into the North for 15 years, received a call from an official at Seoul's Unification Ministry urging him to halt his balloon campaign.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/2000-french-police-on-streets-for-anti-macron-protest-134783">2,000 French police on streets for anti-Macron protest</a>

Paris police are deploying in large numbers and activists are calling for calm as the French capital prepares for a mass protest on the anniversary of President Emmanuel Macron's inauguration.

&nbsp

Ahead of Karnataka polls, authorities seize cash, articles worth Rs 120 crore The Election Commission-appointed surveillance teams have seized cash, jewellery and other inducements worth over Rs 120 crore in the poll-bound Karnataka, a senior official said today. Congress slams Yeddyurappa for 'threatening' voters Congress party on Saturday slammed BJP for ''threatening voters in frustration. A defeatist BJP facing rejection at the hands of Kannadigas is threatening voters in frustration. Mr Yeddyurappa, insulting democracy and intimidating voters will trounce the BJP decisively," tweeted Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. Putin opponents protest across Russia before presidential inauguration Critics of Vladimir Putin took to the streets of Russia on Saturday ahead of his inauguration for a fourth presidential term to register their opposition to what they say is his autocratic Tsar-like rule. South Korea faces dilemma over anti-North leaflets as ties thaw Days after a historic inter-Korean summit Lee Min-bok, a defector who has been flying anti-Pyongyang leaflets into the North for 15 years, received a call from an official at Seoul's Unification Ministry urging him to halt his balloon campaign. 2,000 French police on streets for anti-Macron protest Paris police are deploying in large numbers and activists are calling for calm as the French capital prepares for a mass protest on the anniversary of President Emmanuel Macron's inauguration.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Taking a jibe at the Congress' losing streak in the state assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said post-Karnataka polls the grand-old national party will become a regional one called PPP Congress - Punjab, Puducherry and Parivar Congress.

"After the Karnataka results, Congress will become PPP Congress- Punjab, Puducherry and Parivar Congress," the prime minister said at the rally here.

He also added that it is the people of Karnataka, who will make the Congress into a regional party called PPP Congress.

Congress, which was in power in13 states in 2014, now governs only three states and one union territory.

And, if it loses Karnataka too, the party would have presence only in Punjab, Mizoram and Puducherry.

"Congress has lost in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, UP, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura...people across India have rejected the Congress," Prime Minister Modi.

Intensifying his attack on the ruling party in the state, the prime minister said the Congress government in Karnataka is working only for 'Naamdaars' and not for 'Kaamgaars'.

He even held the ruling party responsible for the "sufferings" of the Khadi and handloom sector and depletion of natural resources in the state.

He branded the Congress as corrupt and asserted that "Corruption is key to the existence of the party."

"Congress is scared of losing Karnataka, the reason is leaders and ministers here have made a huge tank. This tank stores money and a pipeline takes money straight to Delhi. If Karnataka goes, what will happen to the leaders in Delhi," said the Prime Minister.

He even accused the Rahul Gandhi-led party of following "tender system in ticket distribution for the polls."

"Whoever promises to send most money to Delhi, all get the CM-ship in Congress," the Prime Minister alleged.

Invoking the Mahadayi river water dispute, Prime Minister Modi accused the Congress of "misleading the people" in regard to the issue.

The Mahadayi river water dispute is a three-decade-old water-sharing issue among the states of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra. The river originates from Karnataka and then flows into Goa and Maharashtra.&nbsp;

Congress, which was in power in13 states in 2014, now governs only three states and one union territory.

Taking a jibe at the Congress' losing streak in the state assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said post-Karnataka polls the grand-old national party will become a regional one called PPP Congress - Punjab, Puducherry and Parivar Congress. "After the Karnataka results, Congress will become PPP Congress- Punjab, Puducherry and Parivar Congress," the prime minister said at the rally here. He also added that it is the people of Karnataka, who will make the Congress into a regional party called PPP Congress. Congress, which was in power in13 states in 2014, now governs only three states and one union territory. And, if it loses Karnataka too, the party would have presence only in Punjab, Mizoram and Puducherry. "Congress has lost in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, UP, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura...people across India have rejected the Congress," Prime Minister Modi. Intensifying his attack on the ruling party in the state, the prime minister said the Congress government in Karnataka is working only for 'Naamdaars' and not for 'Kaamgaars'. He even held the ruling party responsible for the "sufferings" of the Khadi and handloom sector and depletion of natural resources in the state. He branded the Congress as corrupt and asserted that "Corruption is key to the existence of the party." "Congress is scared of losing Karnataka, the reason is leaders and ministers here have made a huge tank. This tank stores money and a pipeline takes money straight to Delhi. If Karnataka goes, what will happen to the leaders in Delhi," said the Prime Minister. He even accused the Rahul Gandhi-led party of following "tender system in ticket distribution for the polls." "Whoever promises to send most money to Delhi, all get the CM-ship in Congress," the Prime Minister alleged. Invoking the Mahadayi river water dispute, Prime Minister Modi accused the Congress of "misleading the people" in regard to the issue. The Mahadayi river water dispute is a three-decade-old water-sharing issue among the states of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra. The river originates from Karnataka and then flows into Goa and Maharashtra.

Post Karnataka polls, Congress will become PPP Congress: PM Modi

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Karnataka's Jayanagar constituency BN Vijayakumar passed away on Friday morning after suffering from a massive cardiac arrest.

Vijayakumar was one of the most popular faces in Karnataka. He was two time MLA from Jayanagar constituency and was nominated from the same place for the upcoming assembly elections.

The 60-year-old MLA was on a door-to-door campaign in Pattabhiramanagar area of his constituency when the incident took place. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, but the doctors were not able to save him.

Vijayakumar was one of the most popular faces in Karnataka.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Karnataka's Jayanagar constituency BN Vijayakumar passed away on Friday morning after suffering from a massive cardiac arrest. Vijayakumar was one of the most popular faces in Karnataka. He was two time MLA from Jayanagar constituency and was nominated from the same place for the upcoming assembly elections. The 60-year-old MLA was on a door-to-door campaign in Pattabhiramanagar area of his constituency when the incident took place. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, but the doctors were not able to save him.

Karnataka BJP MLA Vijayakumar dies during campaigning

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-rejects-janardhan-reddys-plea-to-campaign-in-bellary-for-brother-134635">Karnataka polls: Supreme Court rejects Janardhan Reddy's plea to campaign in Bellary for brother</a>

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gali Janardhan Reddy, for allowing him to go to Bellary to campaign for his brother, G Somashekar Reddy, contesting for the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjps-manifesto-is-poorly-crafted-fantasy-rahul-gandhi-134632">BJP's manifesto is poorly crafted fantasy: Rahul Gandhi</a>

Hitting out at the BJP`s Karnataka manifesto, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that it had nothing unique to offer voters.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/flipkart-yet-to-finalise-stake-sale-deal-with-walmart-sources-134588">Flipkart yet to finalise stake sale deal with Walmart: Sources</a>

Flipkart's board is yet to finalise a deal to sell a stake to Walmart Inc, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said on Friday, with one of them saying a deal could just be days away.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-us-reach-some-deals-in-trade-row-but-beijing-says-differences-still-relatively-big-134645">China, US reach some deals in trade row but Beijing says differences still relatively big</a>

Top officials from China and the United States reached a consensus on some aspects of the countries' trade row, but disagreements over other issues remain "relatively big", China said on Friday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gst-council-defers-decision-on-sugar-cess-refers-digital-payments-incentive-issue-to-gom-134605">GST Council defers </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gst-council-defers-decision-on-sugar-cess-refers-digital-payments-incentive-issue-to-gom-134605">decision</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gst-council-defers-decision-on-sugar-cess-refers-digital-payments-incentive-issue-to-gom-134605"> on sugar cess, refers digital payments incentive issue to GoM</a>

The all-powerful GST Council today deferred a decision on levying a cess on sugar and referred the issue of incentivising digital payments to a group of state finance ministers.

Karnataka polls: Supreme Court rejects Janardhan Reddy's plea to campaign in Bellary for brother The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gali Janardhan Reddy, for allowing him to go to Bellary to campaign for his brother, G Somashekar Reddy, contesting for the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka. BJP's manifesto is poorly crafted fantasy: Rahul Gandhi Hitting out at the BJP`s Karnataka manifesto, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that it had nothing unique to offer voters. Flipkart yet to finalise stake sale deal with Walmart: Sources Flipkart's board is yet to finalise a deal to sell a stake to Walmart Inc, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said on Friday, with one of them saying a deal could just be days away. China, US reach some deals in trade row but Beijing says differences still relatively big Top officials from China and the United States reached a consensus on some aspects of the countries' trade row, but disagreements over other issues remain "relatively big", China said on Friday. GST Council defers decision on sugar cess, refers digital payments incentive issue to GoM The all-powerful GST Council today deferred a decision on levying a cess on sugar and referred the issue of incentivising digital payments to a group of state finance ministers.

Ahead of May 12 Assembly polls, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has projected himself as "champion of regional sentiment".

Even before launching his party's campaign, the CM has been pushing the Kannadiga identity agenda through a state flag, fighting the imposition of Hindi and opposing the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission that are “unfair” to southern states such as Karnataka.

However, unlike some neighbouring southern states like Tamil Nadu and Telangana, no party has come to power in Karnataka riding on the "linguistic" or regional identity in the past but now, the chief minister, who is from a national party, is leaving no stone unturned to reiterate the state's linguistic identity and federalism.

"My identity as a proud Kannadiga is not inconsistent with my identity as a proud Indian. Taking pride in Kannada identity doesn't make Kannadigas any less Indian," Siddaramaiah wrote in a lengthy Facebook post on March 15th.

The Karnataka CM also attacked the BJP's Karnataka unit and said that the state unit of the national party lacked leadership and therefore relied on "North Indian imports" for the May 12th election campaign.

Siddaramaiah also said BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa had been reduced to a "dummy."

"@BJP4Karnataka by waiting for North Indian imports like PM Modi, UPCM Adityanath is admitting they have no leaders in the state. They have reduced their CM face @BSYBJP to a dummy," Siddaramaiah tweeted.

BJP countered this argument by saying it showed Siddaramaiah’s desperation to attack him but he had chosen a frivolous, flippant and totally irrelevant way.

Some feel that incumbent CM's inclination to whip-up Kannadiga pride will only resonate with the urban voters. However, it would have a very little impact in the coastal region where the "Hindutva" plank may decide the election outcome.

As election day approaches, the Congress through its president Rahul Gandhi's temple hopping is seeking to counter Hindutva by positioning itself as a "soft Hindutva" party as opposed to the BJP’s communal image. Siddaramaiah has repeatedly countered BJP’s efforts to portray him as anti-Hindu by saying that he was a "true Hindu" - after all, his name is "Sidda-Rama".

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who began the first of his series of public rallies in the state at Santhemarahalli on Tuesday, paid rich tributes to Kannada thespian Dr. Rajkumar and poet GP Rajarathnam, who were natives of the region, in his bid to strike an emotional connect with the voters.

Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have also started tweeting in Kannada and visited memorials of several Kannada poets.

Siddaramaiah, who started his political career as the head of the Kannada Kavalu Samiti (Kannada Surveillance Committee) in the 1980s and is now projecting himself as a champion of Kannada pride, says the regional sentiment only helps build a strong India but will the Congress leader’s strategy to ride on the Kannada pride help him to get re-elected in a state where an&nbsp;incumbent&nbsp;has not been voted back to&nbsp;power since 1985. That will be decided on May 14 when the counting of the votes takes place.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Some feel that incumbent CM's inclination to whip-up Kannadiga pride will only resonate with the urban voters.

Ahead of May 12 Assembly polls, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has projected himself as "champion of regional sentiment". Even before launching his party's campaign, the CM has been pushing the Kannadiga identity agenda through a state flag, fighting the imposition of Hindi and opposing the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission that are “unfair” to southern states such as Karnataka. However, unlike some neighbouring southern states like Tamil Nadu and Telangana, no party has come to power in Karnataka riding on the "linguistic" or regional identity in the past but now, the chief minister, who is from a national party, is leaving no stone unturned to reiterate the state's linguistic identity and federalism. "My identity as a proud Kannadiga is not inconsistent with my identity as a proud Indian. Taking pride in Kannada identity doesn't make Kannadigas any less Indian," Siddaramaiah wrote in a lengthy Facebook post on March 15th. The Karnataka CM also attacked the BJP's Karnataka unit and said that the state unit of the national party lacked leadership and therefore relied on "North Indian imports" for the May 12th election campaign. Siddaramaiah also said BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa had been reduced to a "dummy." "@BJP4Karnataka by waiting for North Indian imports like PM Modi, UPCM Adityanath is admitting they have no leaders in the state. They have reduced their CM face @BSYBJP to a dummy," Siddaramaiah tweeted. BJP countered this argument by saying it showed Siddaramaiah’s desperation to attack him but he had chosen a frivolous, flippant and totally irrelevant way. Some feel that incumbent CM's inclination to whip-up Kannadiga pride will only resonate with the urban voters. However, it would have a very little impact in the coastal region where the "Hindutva" plank may decide the election outcome. As election day approaches, the Congress through its president Rahul Gandhi's temple hopping is seeking to counter Hindutva by positioning itself as a "soft Hindutva" party as opposed to the BJP’s communal image. Siddaramaiah has repeatedly countered BJP’s efforts to portray him as anti-Hindu by saying that he was a "true Hindu" - after all, his name is "Sidda-Rama". Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who began the first of his series of public rallies in the state at Santhemarahalli on Tuesday, paid rich tributes to Kannada thespian Dr. Rajkumar and poet GP Rajarathnam, who were natives of the region, in his bid to strike an emotional connect with the voters. Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have also started tweeting in Kannada and visited memorials of several Kannada poets. Siddaramaiah, who started his political career as the head of the Kannada Kavalu Samiti (Kannada Surveillance Committee) in the 1980s and is now projecting himself as a champion of Kannada pride, says the regional sentiment only helps build a strong India but will the Congress leader’s strategy to ride on the Kannada pride help him to get re-elected in a state where an incumbent has not been voted back to power since 1985. That will be decided on May 14 when the counting of the votes takes place. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Siddaramaiah's 'pride of Kannadigas' plank a master ploy or 'flawed' parochial approach?

PM Modi speaking at Karnataka's Kalaburagi's Navodaya Vidyalaya ground at Gulbarga intensified attack on the Congress saying the people in Karnataka don't want a Congress government.

On the second day of Karnataka poll campaign, PM Modi will visit also visit Ballari and Bengaluru. India's prime minister stepped into the poll campaign on May 1 in a heated last leg burst addressing rallies in Mysuru, Udupi and Belagavi.&nbsp;PM Modi had addressed the farmers in Karnataka through the Namo App on Wednesday which was live-streamed across the poll-bound state.

PM Modi's Live speech from&nbsp;Gulbarga:&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Congress would rather prefer our soldiers go with cameras and not guns! (on Surgical Strikes) But then, this is expected considering how their own senior leader behaved on stage when 'Vande Mataram' was being sung: PM Modi in Kalaburgi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/JhBr6NJ7Kf">pic.twitter.com/JhBr6NJ7Kf</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/991948865589972993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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1:12 pm: India's dream has been crushed under 70 years of Congress rule, he declared.

1:10 pm: Farmers can reap gold from the soil if given proper incentive, the PM said.

1:07 pm: Dalits have suffered under Congress' dynastic raj, he said.

1:04 pm: Rahul Gandhi slammed surgical&nbsp;strikes and insulted Vande Mataram, the Prime Minister said.

1:02 pm: Rahul deprived farmers of MSP benefits, he said, adding the Congress president misled farmers.&nbsp;

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I would like to ask the Congress people who carried out a candle march in Delhi where were your candles when a Dalit girl was tortured in Bidar: PM Modi in in Kalaburagi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/QAAvbI0INB">pic.twitter.com/QAAvbI0INB</a>
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1:00 pm: Shameless&nbsp;Congress dubbed the Army chief a goon, he said.

12:58 pm: Congress insulted Vande Mataram, he said, adding, the Congress has no respect for the nation's soldiers.

12:57 pm: Congress referred to our Jawans(soldiers) as goons, he alleged.

12:55 pm: The Congress politicised the surgical strikes, he said referring to the strikes carried out by the Army along the LoC in 2016.

12:53 pm: Congress loses sleep when I mention Sardar Patel, PM Modi said at the rally, adding, Congress hasn't honoured Sardar Patel's legacy.

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Karnataka is synonymous with valour. But, how did the Congress Govts treat Field Marshall Cariappa and General Thimayya? History is proof of that. In 1948 after defeating Pakistan, General Thimayya was insulted by PM Nehru and Defence Minister Krishna Menon: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/OGOUaQDvEe">pic.twitter.com/OGOUaQDvEe</a>
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12:51 pm: These elections about the youth and farmers, he asserted, adding, the Congress has destroyed Karnataka.

12:48 pm:&nbsp;Karnataka will vote against Congress, he asserted.

12:42 pm: Karnataka can bear the heat but not the Congress, the PM added.

12:40 pm: Congress wasted its 5-year tenure in Karnataka, PM Modi said.

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WATCH live via ANI Facebook: PM Narendra Modi speaking at a rally in Kalaburagi(Karnataka) <a href="https://t.co/3mo97GWqBv">https://t.co/3mo97GWqBv</a> <a href="https://t.co/BRQGKc1Qsv">pic.twitter.com/BRQGKc1Qsv</a>
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PM Modi speaking at Karnataka's Kalaburagi's Navodaya Vidyalaya ground at Gulbarga intensified attack on the Congress

PM Modi speaking at Karnataka's Kalaburagi's Navodaya Vidyalaya ground at Gulbarga intensified attack on the Congress saying the people in Karnataka don't want a Congress government. On the second day of Karnataka poll campaign, PM Modi will visit also visit Ballari and Bengaluru. India's prime minister stepped into the poll campaign on May 1 in a heated last leg burst addressing rallies in Mysuru, Udupi and Belagavi. PM Modi had addressed the farmers in Karnataka through the Namo App on Wednesday which was live-streamed across the poll-bound state. PM Modi's Live speech from Gulbarga: Congress would rather prefer our soldiers go with cameras and not guns! (on Surgical Strikes) But then, this is expected considering how their own senior leader behaved on stage when 'Vande Mataram' was being sung: PM Modi in Kalaburgi #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/JhBr6NJ7Kf — ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2018 × 1:12 pm: India's dream has been crushed under 70 years of Congress rule, he declared. 1:10 pm: Farmers can reap gold from the soil if given proper incentive, the PM said. 1:07 pm: Dalits have suffered under Congress' dynastic raj, he said. 1:04 pm: Rahul Gandhi slammed surgical strikes and insulted Vande Mataram, the Prime Minister said. 1:02 pm: Rahul deprived farmers of MSP benefits, he said, adding the Congress president misled farmers. I would like to ask the Congress people who carried out a candle march in Delhi where were your candles when a Dalit girl was tortured in Bidar: PM Modi in in Kalaburagi #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/QAAvbI0INB — ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2018 × 1:00 pm: Shameless Congress dubbed the Army chief a goon, he said. 12:58 pm: Congress insulted Vande Mataram, he said, adding, the Congress has no respect for the nation's soldiers. 12:57 pm: Congress referred to our Jawans(soldiers) as goons, he alleged. 12:55 pm: The Congress politicised the surgical strikes, he said referring to the strikes carried out by the Army along the LoC in 2016. 12:53 pm: Congress loses sleep when I mention Sardar Patel, PM Modi said at the rally, adding, Congress hasn't honoured Sardar Patel's legacy. Karnataka is synonymous with valour. But, how did the Congress Govts treat Field Marshall Cariappa and General Thimayya? History is proof of that. In 1948 after defeating Pakistan, General Thimayya was insulted by PM Nehru and Defence Minister Krishna Menon: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/OGOUaQDvEe — ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2018 × 12:51 pm: These elections about the youth and farmers, he asserted, adding, the Congress has destroyed Karnataka. 12:48 pm: Karnataka will vote against Congress, he asserted. 12:42 pm: Karnataka can bear the heat but not the Congress, the PM added. 12:40 pm: Congress wasted its 5-year tenure in Karnataka, PM Modi said. WATCH live via ANI Facebook: PM Narendra Modi speaking at a rally in Kalaburagi(Karnataka) https://t.co/3mo97GWqBv pic.twitter.com/BRQGKc1Qsv — ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2018 ×

Congress insulted Vande Mataram, says PM Modi during Karnataka election campaign

Karnataka, which is heading for polls on May 12, is the only big state which left with Congress.

Once a pan-India party, the Congress's presence in the country is now reduced to just three states (Punjab, Mizoram and Karnataka) and one Union Territory (Puducherry).

The first major jolt to the party came in the form of defeat at the hands of Narendra Modi-led BJP in the general elections in 2014. Since then, Congress has been experiencing a series of failures. After losing the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it has failed to stand against the might of Modi-Shah combine. The party lost electoral battles in Delhi, Assam, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tripura, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh etc.

The repeated loss of Congress has already put a question mark on the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. A loss again will translate into Rahul's inefficiency against the Modi-Shah might.

If the Congress is able to win the Assembly elections in Karnataka, the victory will certainly be attributed to current chief minister Siddaramaiah's strong reputation in the party. Siddaramaiah belongs to Kuruba (shepherd) caste but enjoys a status of a strong leader in the state. His name and political tenure has been out of any controversy. The various schemes and measures favouring Dalits and minorities that he introduced may also prove profitable to him.

The BJP contemplated the importance Siddaramaiah holds in the state politics as compared to its chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa and therefore fielded PM Modi and his "development agenda" against the fight with Congress.

A victory for the Congress in Karnataka will also decide the role that it will play in the potential grand alliance against the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had hosted a dinner party for the leaders of 20 opposition parties at her Janpath residence on March 13. The party was apparently hosted to devise a collective plan to root out the BJP-led NDA in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress said that the party meeting was called to promote "amity and friendship".

Quoting Tejashwi Yadav and Sharad Yadav, a news report said that the meeting was the first step towards a comprehensive alliance of the 2019 elections.

In a bid to win over the hearts (and the votes) of the people of Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi is not leaving any stone unturned. He is also resorting to the Hindutva card.

Rahul visited around 25 temples in Gujarat during the election campaign in the state. Similar religious symbolism is seen in his recent visits to temples and dargahs in Karnataka.

Also, to woo the Lingayat community in the state, the Karnataka government granted minority status to them in March. Lingayats, the single largest community in Karnataka constitutes 17 per cent of the vote share and plays an important role in about 100 of the state's 224 seats.

A win in the state will also have a significant impact for Congress in the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram, and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The election in Karnataka is therefore seen as an existential battle for the Congress party which has almost vanished from the map of India.

The repeated loss of Congress has already put a question mark on the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.

Karnataka, which is heading for polls on May 12, is the only big state which left with Congress. Once a pan-India party, the Congress's presence in the country is now reduced to just three states (Punjab, Mizoram and Karnataka) and one Union Territory (Puducherry). The first major jolt to the party came in the form of defeat at the hands of Narendra Modi-led BJP in the general elections in 2014. Since then, Congress has been experiencing a series of failures. After losing the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it has failed to stand against the might of Modi-Shah combine. The party lost electoral battles in Delhi, Assam, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tripura, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh etc. The repeated loss of Congress has already put a question mark on the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. A loss again will translate into Rahul's inefficiency against the Modi-Shah might. If the Congress is able to win the Assembly elections in Karnataka, the victory will certainly be attributed to current chief minister Siddaramaiah's strong reputation in the party. Siddaramaiah belongs to Kuruba (shepherd) caste but enjoys a status of a strong leader in the state. His name and political tenure has been out of any controversy. The various schemes and measures favouring Dalits and minorities that he introduced may also prove profitable to him. The BJP contemplated the importance Siddaramaiah holds in the state politics as compared to its chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa and therefore fielded PM Modi and his "development agenda" against the fight with Congress. A victory for the Congress in Karnataka will also decide the role that it will play in the potential grand alliance against the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had hosted a dinner party for the leaders of 20 opposition parties at her Janpath residence on March 13. The party was apparently hosted to devise a collective plan to root out the BJP-led NDA in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress said that the party meeting was called to promote "amity and friendship". Quoting Tejashwi Yadav and Sharad Yadav, a news report said that the meeting was the first step towards a comprehensive alliance of the 2019 elections. In a bid to win over the hearts (and the votes) of the people of Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi is not leaving any stone unturned. He is also resorting to the Hindutva card. Rahul visited around 25 temples in Gujarat during the election campaign in the state. Similar religious symbolism is seen in his recent visits to temples and dargahs in Karnataka. Also, to woo the Lingayat community in the state, the Karnataka government granted minority status to them in March. Lingayats, the single largest community in Karnataka constitutes 17 per cent of the vote share and plays an important role in about 100 of the state's 224 seats. A win in the state will also have a significant impact for Congress in the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram, and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The election in Karnataka is therefore seen as an existential battle for the Congress party which has almost vanished from the map of India.

Karnataka elections: An existential battle for Congress

Much of the focus in the run-up to Karnataka assembly elections has been on the Congress. The reasons are obvious. It is the only big state which Congress has in its kitty. Without Karnataka, the morale of its workers would dip in states like Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh where elections are due later this year. But it does not mean that BJP remains immune from the election result. The impact of defeat in Karnataka would be far more challenging for the BJP than Congress. The latter is anyways on the margin.

BJP's defeat in Karnataka would cut short the party's dream to expand its footprint in South India. 2008 was BJP's renaissance in the south it won Karnataka handsomely. They lost the state again in 2013. After an impressive victory in 2014 elections, BJP embarked on an aggressive strategy to expand in southern and eastern India. It tasted success in the Northeast but failed in West Bengal.

Similar aggressive campaign of BJP in Kerala also failed. Despite the swell, fight remained between the Left and Congress. If BJP fails in Karnataka, it will be reduced as non-player in 130 seats. On top of it, BJP has lost a stable partner in the form of Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Both Chandrababu Naidu and K Chandrashekhar Rao are openly canvassing for a Third Front.

The BJP's efforts in Tamil Nadu too have not yielded results. The AIADMK has split and two film stars have jumped in the fray. Political players have multiplied and situation remains fluid in the state. Ruling AIADMK was not able to wrest Jayalalithaa's RK Nagar seat. Dinakaran won RK Nagar sending the message that the cadre is split. The state also saw a mild overture from Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he paid a visit to Karunanidhi. The meet was hailed as ice breaker but today, the DMK is also openly mooting the idea of a Third Front. So post Atal Bihari Vajpaye, BJP remains without alliance in Tamil Nadu. TDP has broken ties with the Centre and BJP has not been able to create a footprint in Telangana. 
&nbsp; 
A loss in the state will have less of an impact in three northern state going to polls and more on the general elections in 2019. The BJP cannot expect to repeat its performance in most of the northern and western states. The Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party have already come together in Uttar Pradesh. Loss of alliance and footprint in south and east would mean that regional parties will have a greater say in the central government. It will reinforce the impression that despite success in many parts of India, BJP's idea of India remains alien to South India. This is not to undermine the fact that BJP's performance in Northeast was spectacular but it only adds 25 Lok Sabha seats to the kitty. 
&nbsp; 
The loss would also empower the idea of regional players coming together to combat BJP at the Centre. It can also galvanise other regional parties who as of now are neutral or with the BJP. A loss would also empower the idea of strong regional chieftains against an imposing Centre which will again have resonance in Indian politics. The Congress lost the 1977 and 1989 Lok Sabha elections because regional parties came together. It happened again in 1996 but BJP emerged as the largest party in Lok Sabha.

Karnataka's loss can inspire politics on similar lines. For Congress a loss would mean another blow to Rahul Gandhi's credibility as a leader and further shrinking of whatever remains of the Congress. It would mean that it would become even more marginal when it comes to opposition politics. But for the BJP stakes are higher. A loss in Karnataka will impact its overall Lok Sabha strategy. It is for this reason more is at stake for BJP in Karnataka than Congress party.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A loss in the state will have less of an impact in three northern state going to polls and more on the general elections in 2019.

Much of the focus in the run-up to Karnataka assembly elections has been on the Congress. The reasons are obvious. It is the only big state which Congress has in its kitty. Without Karnataka, the morale of its workers would dip in states like Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh where elections are due later this year. But it does not mean that BJP remains immune from the election result. The impact of defeat in Karnataka would be far more challenging for the BJP than Congress. The latter is anyways on the margin. BJP's defeat in Karnataka would cut short the party's dream to expand its footprint in South India. 2008 was BJP's renaissance in the south it won Karnataka handsomely. They lost the state again in 2013. After an impressive victory in 2014 elections, BJP embarked on an aggressive strategy to expand in southern and eastern India. It tasted success in the Northeast but failed in West Bengal. Similar aggressive campaign of BJP in Kerala also failed. Despite the swell, fight remained between the Left and Congress. If BJP fails in Karnataka, it will be reduced as non-player in 130 seats. On top of it, BJP has lost a stable partner in the form of Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Both Chandrababu Naidu and K Chandrashekhar Rao are openly canvassing for a Third Front. The BJP's efforts in Tamil Nadu too have not yielded results. The AIADMK has split and two film stars have jumped in the fray. Political players have multiplied and situation remains fluid in the state. Ruling AIADMK was not able to wrest Jayalalithaa's RK Nagar seat. Dinakaran won RK Nagar sending the message that the cadre is split. The state also saw a mild overture from Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he paid a visit to Karunanidhi. The meet was hailed as ice breaker but today, the DMK is also openly mooting the idea of a Third Front. So post Atal Bihari Vajpaye, BJP remains without alliance in Tamil Nadu. TDP has broken ties with the Centre and BJP has not been able to create a footprint in Telangana. A loss in the state will have less of an impact in three northern state going to polls and more on the general elections in 2019. The BJP cannot expect to repeat its performance in most of the northern and western states. The Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party have already come together in Uttar Pradesh. Loss of alliance and footprint in south and east would mean that regional parties will have a greater say in the central government. It will reinforce the impression that despite success in many parts of India, BJP's idea of India remains alien to South India. This is not to undermine the fact that BJP's performance in Northeast was spectacular but it only adds 25 Lok Sabha seats to the kitty. The loss would also empower the idea of regional players coming together to combat BJP at the Centre. It can also galvanise other regional parties who as of now are neutral or with the BJP. A loss would also empower the idea of strong regional chieftains against an imposing Centre which will again have resonance in Indian politics. The Congress lost the 1977 and 1989 Lok Sabha elections because regional parties came together. It happened again in 1996 but BJP emerged as the largest party in Lok Sabha. Karnataka's loss can inspire politics on similar lines. For Congress a loss would mean another blow to Rahul Gandhi's credibility as a leader and further shrinking of whatever remains of the Congress. It would mean that it would become even more marginal when it comes to opposition politics. But for the BJP stakes are higher. A loss in Karnataka will impact its overall Lok Sabha strategy. It is for this reason more is at stake for BJP in Karnataka than Congress party. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: More is at stake for BJP than Congress in Karnataka elections

While addressing a rally in Mysore for the upcoming Karnataka polls in the state, Prime Minister Modi&nbsp;responded to Congress president Rahul Gandhi&nbsp;over his "15 minute" comment.

Hitting at the Congress President PM Modi said, "Can Rahul speak for 15 minutes?"

He further Rahul Gandhi and asked him to talk about his achievements without reading from any paper for 15 minutes.

He said, "I challenge you (Rahul Gandhi) to speak for 15 minutes on the achievements of your government in Karnataka without reading from any piece of paper. You can speak in Hindi, English or your mother tongue. He (Rahul Gandhi) had challenged me that if he speaks for 15 minutes then I will not be able to stand in front of him. Yes, you are right, you are a 'naamdar', what right do we 'kaamdaars' have to even sit in front of you".

Rahul Gandhi had earlier demanded a 15-minute debate with PM Modi in Parliament.

Gandhi was addressing "Save the Constitution" campaign in Delhi where he had targetted Modi government over farmers' issue, rising&nbsp;crime against women and corruption. He had also asked the prime minister to have a one on one debate with him for 15 minutes.

Gandhi had said, " Modi is afraid to stand in Parliament... If I am allowed to speak for 15 minutes on Rafale issue in Parliament before Modi, he will not be able to withstand it".

The BJP then&nbsp;hit back at Rahul saying that "the leader who cannot write 15 lines without looking at his phone, wants to talk for 15 minutes".

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I challenge you (Rahul Gandhi) to speak for 15 minutes on the achievements of your government in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> without reading from any piece of paper. You can speak in Hindi, English or your mother tongue: PM Modi in Mysuru <a href="https://t.co/BqVx9XThya">pic.twitter.com/BqVx9XThya</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/991211141077577728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi had earlier demanded a 15-minute debate with PM Modi in Parliament

While addressing a rally in Mysore for the upcoming Karnataka polls in the state, Prime Minister Modi responded to Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his "15 minute" comment. Hitting at the Congress President PM Modi said, "Can Rahul speak for 15 minutes?" He further Rahul Gandhi and asked him to talk about his achievements without reading from any paper for 15 minutes. He said, "I challenge you (Rahul Gandhi) to speak for 15 minutes on the achievements of your government in Karnataka without reading from any piece of paper. You can speak in Hindi, English or your mother tongue. He (Rahul Gandhi) had challenged me that if he speaks for 15 minutes then I will not be able to stand in front of him. Yes, you are right, you are a 'naamdar', what right do we 'kaamdaars' have to even sit in front of you". Rahul Gandhi had earlier demanded a 15-minute debate with PM Modi in Parliament. Gandhi was addressing "Save the Constitution" campaign in Delhi where he had targetted Modi government over farmers' issue, rising crime against women and corruption. He had also asked the prime minister to have a one on one debate with him for 15 minutes. Gandhi had said, " Modi is afraid to stand in Parliament... If I am allowed to speak for 15 minutes on Rafale issue in Parliament before Modi, he will not be able to withstand it". The BJP then hit back at Rahul saying that "the leader who cannot write 15 lines without looking at his phone, wants to talk for 15 minutes". I challenge you (Rahul Gandhi) to speak for 15 minutes on the achievements of your government in #Karnataka without reading from any piece of paper. You can speak in Hindi, English or your mother tongue: PM Modi in Mysuru pic.twitter.com/BqVx9XThya — ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2018 ×

'Can Rahul Gandhi speak for 15 minutes?' Modi asks at Karnataka rally

Siddaramaiah (he goes by this single name) has come a long way since his days of grazing cattle in a village near Mysore as a young boy. Born on August 12, 1948, he is the leader of the Indian National Congress and Karnataka's incumbent chief minister.

Siddaramaiah's humble background never came in the way of his success. He did not receive formal education during his initial years but went on to become a law graduate from Mysore University. Siddaramaiah was teaching law in Mysore for some time and made his political debut only in 1983 from Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysore.

Before joining Congress, Siddaramaiah was part of many Janata Parivar factions. As a member of H D Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular), he even served as deputy chief minister of Karnataka twice.

Siddaramaiah's debut in the Karnataka Assembly also came on a Lok Dal ticket, which was a part of the Janata Parivar. He has been winning assembly elections since then from Mysore district except twice, in 1989 and 1999, when he lost.

A private person, Siddaramaiah is always dressed in white kurta and panche (a famous South Indian attire) and carries an angavastra. He belongs to the Kuruba (shepherd) community - the third largest in Karnataka - but always projects himself as the champion of backward classes. He was instrumental in promoting AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) conventions.

Siddaramaiah had a long association with Deve Gowda and held various portfolios as minister in the governments of Janata Dal headed by Ramakrishna Hegde, H D Deve Gowda and J H Patel. Earning his name as a good finance minister, he presented five successive budgets from 1994 and two more as finance minister in the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government in 2004-2006.

But the long partnership ended in 2006 when Siddramaiah was expelled from JD(S). He had accused Deve Gowda of promoting only his family members in the party. Siddaramaiah then joined Congress at a large public meeting in Bengaluru, in Sonia Gandhi's presence.

Siddaramaiah won the Chamundeshwari bypolls held in December that year, by a margin of 257 votes against M Shivabasappa of JD(S), despite a fierce campaign against him by Deve Gowda, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister Yeddyurappa. In the 2008 state assembly elections, he contested from Varuna Constituency and was re-elected for the fifth time.

He and his wife Parvathi had two sons - Rakesh and Yatindra. Rakesh, who helped his father in his political life, died of multi-organ failure in Belgium in 2016. His younger Yatindra is a doctor.

Siddaramaiah has won five times and tasted defeat twice at Chamundeshwari. He was representing Varuna constituency in Mysuru since 2008, which was later allotted to his son Yatindra.

Siddaramaiah's debut in the Karnataka Assembly came on a Lok Dal ticket, which was a part of the Janata Parivar.

Siddaramaiah (he goes by this single name) has come a long way since his days of grazing cattle in a village near Mysore as a young boy. Born on August 12, 1948, he is the leader of the Indian National Congress and Karnataka's incumbent chief minister. Siddaramaiah's humble background never came in the way of his success. He did not receive formal education during his initial years but went on to become a law graduate from Mysore University. Siddaramaiah was teaching law in Mysore for some time and made his political debut only in 1983 from Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysore. Before joining Congress, Siddaramaiah was part of many Janata Parivar factions. As a member of H D Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular), he even served as deputy chief minister of Karnataka twice. Siddaramaiah's debut in the Karnataka Assembly also came on a Lok Dal ticket, which was a part of the Janata Parivar. He has been winning assembly elections since then from Mysore district except twice, in 1989 and 1999, when he lost. A private person, Siddaramaiah is always dressed in white kurta and panche (a famous South Indian attire) and carries an angavastra. He belongs to the Kuruba (shepherd) community - the third largest in Karnataka - but always projects himself as the champion of backward classes. He was instrumental in promoting AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) conventions. Siddaramaiah had a long association with Deve Gowda and held various portfolios as minister in the governments of Janata Dal headed by Ramakrishna Hegde, H D Deve Gowda and J H Patel. Earning his name as a good finance minister, he presented five successive budgets from 1994 and two more as finance minister in the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government in 2004-2006. But the long partnership ended in 2006 when Siddramaiah was expelled from JD(S). He had accused Deve Gowda of promoting only his family members in the party. Siddaramaiah then joined Congress at a large public meeting in Bengaluru, in Sonia Gandhi's presence. Siddaramaiah won the Chamundeshwari bypolls held in December that year, by a margin of 257 votes against M Shivabasappa of JD(S), despite a fierce campaign against him by Deve Gowda, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister Yeddyurappa. In the 2008 state assembly elections, he contested from Varuna Constituency and was re-elected for the fifth time. He and his wife Parvathi had two sons - Rakesh and Yatindra. Rakesh, who helped his father in his political life, died of multi-organ failure in Belgium in 2016. His younger Yatindra is a doctor. Siddaramaiah has won five times and tasted defeat twice at Chamundeshwari. He was representing Varuna constituency in Mysuru since 2008, which was later allotted to his son Yatindra.

Siddaramaiah: Janata Parivar veteran and Congress's best bet in Karnataka polls

12: 52 pm:&nbsp;Before questioning us Rahul Gandhi should know that in 2005 Manmohan Singh had said that all villages will be electrified by 2009, and the same thing was said by Sonia Gandhi ji and you(Rahul ) mock the labourers &nbsp;and workers who made this (electrification) possible: PM Modi&nbsp;

12: 50 pm: On Lokayukta, the PM said: "In Karnataka, there is no law and order. The Lokayukta is not safe, how can the common people be safe."

12: 49 pm: "If CM has a 2+1 formula then ministers have 1+1 formula. Relatives of ministers are fighting polls. This is hurting the workers of the Congress, the PM said.&nbsp;

12:48 pm: Vote for BJP is a vote for vikas&nbsp;(development), he said in his closing remarks.

12:47 pm: Why is there no proper access to safe drinking water in Karnataka: Modi

12:45 pm: Only NDA is working for the benefit of farmers, he declared.

12:44 pm: Whenever there is Congress, there is corruption, he said.

12:38 pm: Congress is naamdaar&nbsp;(those who pretend to work), BJP is kaamdaar(doer), Modi said, adding, family&nbsp;politics will not work.&nbsp;&nbsp;

12:32 pm: Rahul can't even pronounce the names of his party leaders, the prime minister said.

12:27 pm: Can Rahul Gandhi even speak for 15 minutes on Karnataka's development without reading from any piece of paper, PM Modi said while taking a dig at Congress vice-president.

You can speak in Hindi, English or your mother tongue, he added.

12:22 pm:&nbsp;I want to dedicate the historical achievement of the country on 28th April, when all villages in India were electrified, to the workers and labourers of the country on this Labour day, PM Modi said.

12:20 pm: Taking a dig at the Congress government, the prime asked: Why are 4 crore people without electricity in the state? Want electricity in every household, he declared.

12:16 pm: BJP will sweep Karnataka elections, he said.

12:12 pm:&nbsp;In his first election rally in Karnataka, PM Modi said not a wave but a BJP storm will hit Karnataka

12:13pm: Sitting with the next BJP chief minister(Yeddyurappa who is present at the poll rally)

Earlier, PM Modi along with BJP <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-elections-bjp-registers-complaint-against-jignesh-mewani-prakash-raj-for-comments-on-pm-modi-133878">president Amit Shah arrived</a> in Karnataka's Senthemarahalli village in Chamarajanagar district on Tuesday to kick-start his poll rally today.

This is PM Modi's first rally in Karnataka ever since the polls were announced two months ago. The Prime Minister will address a string of rallies in Karnataka over the next five days including three today in Mysuru, Udupi and Belagavi.

His next stop today will be at Udupi at 3pm where he will visit Krishna Mutt and take blessings of the Pejawar seer before addressing a public rally at AGM College Ground at 3pm.&nbsp;

Later on Tuesday, the prime minister will address another public gathering in Chikkodi at 6pm.

Karnataka which is being led by a chief minister Siddaramaiah's Congress government will go to the polls on 12th May with the results to be announced three days later on 15th.

<img alt="ModiMarketing1_2.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/ModiMarketing1_2.jpg" width="463" />

This is PM Modi's first rally in Karnataka ever since the polls were announced two months ago.

12: 52 pm: Before questioning us Rahul Gandhi should know that in 2005 Manmohan Singh had said that all villages will be electrified by 2009, and the same thing was said by Sonia Gandhi ji and you(Rahul ) mock the labourers and workers who made this (electrification) possible: PM Modi 12: 50 pm: On Lokayukta, the PM said: "In Karnataka, there is no law and order. The Lokayukta is not safe, how can the common people be safe." 12: 49 pm: "If CM has a 2+1 formula then ministers have 1+1 formula. Relatives of ministers are fighting polls. This is hurting the workers of the Congress, the PM said. 12:48 pm: Vote for BJP is a vote for vikas (development), he said in his closing remarks. 12:47 pm: Why is there no proper access to safe drinking water in Karnataka: Modi 12:45 pm: Only NDA is working for the benefit of farmers, he declared. 12:44 pm: Whenever there is Congress, there is corruption, he said. 12:38 pm: Congress is naamdaar (those who pretend to work), BJP is kaamdaar(doer), Modi said, adding, family politics will not work. 12:32 pm: Rahul can't even pronounce the names of his party leaders, the prime minister said. 12:27 pm: Can Rahul Gandhi even speak for 15 minutes on Karnataka's development without reading from any piece of paper, PM Modi said while taking a dig at Congress vice-president. You can speak in Hindi, English or your mother tongue, he added. 12:22 pm: I want to dedicate the historical achievement of the country on 28th April, when all villages in India were electrified, to the workers and labourers of the country on this Labour day, PM Modi said. 12:20 pm: Taking a dig at the Congress government, the prime asked: Why are 4 crore people without electricity in the state? Want electricity in every household, he declared. 12:16 pm: BJP will sweep Karnataka elections, he said. 12:12 pm: In his first election rally in Karnataka, PM Modi said not a wave but a BJP storm will hit Karnataka 12:13pm: Sitting with the next BJP chief minister(Yeddyurappa who is present at the poll rally) Earlier, PM Modi along with BJP president Amit Shah arrived in Karnataka's Senthemarahalli village in Chamarajanagar district on Tuesday to kick-start his poll rally today. This is PM Modi's first rally in Karnataka ever since the polls were announced two months ago. The Prime Minister will address a string of rallies in Karnataka over the next five days including three today in Mysuru, Udupi and Belagavi. His next stop today will be at Udupi at 3pm where he will visit Krishna Mutt and take blessings of the Pejawar seer before addressing a public rally at AGM College Ground at 3pm. Later on Tuesday, the prime minister will address another public gathering in Chikkodi at 6pm. Karnataka which is being led by a chief minister Siddaramaiah's Congress government will go to the polls on 12th May with the results to be announced three days later on 15th.

Can Rahul Gandhi speak on Karnataka's development for 15 minutes, asks PM Modi in poll rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reset the tone in the middle of Bharatiya Janata Party's election campaign in Karnataka. Unlike Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat where the party's campaign was centered around Pakistan, national security and cemetery, his speech on Thursday morning was focused on the issues of developmental work done by his government. The message was about number and data crunching. His speech was a comparison between his work of four years and that of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the same period in context of Karnataka. 
&nbsp; 
Why did he do so? For the simple reason that BJP is finding it difficult to handle Siddaramaiah on his own pitch. His party the Congress, which is ruling Karnataka, has built its campaign around social sector schemes for poor and backward castes, sense of regional pride centred around flag, language and injustice, and acknowledgement of Lingayats as separate religion. The Lingayat issue has become a thorn and for this reason PM Modi, without going into the detail, accused Congress of caste hunting in every election. 
&nbsp; 
Siddaramaiah's campaign also revolves around his personality. It exudes the confidence of a strong regional leader who has the capacity to take on the might of Modi. Similar narrative was successfully milked by Modi himself when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. The water of Narmada was turned into an issue of injustice. Similarly, Siddaramaiah has turned the issue of funds for the agricultural sector into sense of injustice to the state. Modi too represented regional pride when he was the chief minister so all the social development data campaign of the Congress failed repeatedly.

Modi that way has taken a risk. In 2012, when Congress built a campaign on economic index, it failed in front of 'Gujarati asmita' which Modi evoked. But from electoral perspective, BJP in Karnataka has been left with no choice.

Even Yedyurrapa has failed to campaign like a regional stalwart. The message in the electorate is that BJP president Amit Shah is calling all the shots unlike Siddaramaiah who has successfully cultivated the image of a leader who is impervious to the machinations of the Delhi-based leaders. The message is that Siddaramaiah gets his way with Congress leadership. Though Yedyrappa has been given prominence in posters with Modi and Shah, it has not achieved that standing in people's eyes. It is for this reason that the BJP is trying to shift goal posts to development and work done by the Centre. Though Modi in his speech said that he is a proud Kannadiga, it will take more than that for the BJP to turn this electoral battle around.

Till now, BJP has only been responding to the Congress's campaign. Barring Bengaluru civic issues, its campaign has really not created a buzz. If they want to wrest Karnataka, the BJP will have to strike an emotional chord with voters as to why they should be voted back as elections are purely anchored around emotive issues like identity, pride and justice.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Modi has taken a risk by focusing on developmental issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reset the tone in the middle of Bharatiya Janata Party's election campaign in Karnataka. Unlike Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat where the party's campaign was centered around Pakistan, national security and cemetery, his speech on Thursday morning was focused on the issues of developmental work done by his government. The message was about number and data crunching. His speech was a comparison between his work of four years and that of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the same period in context of Karnataka. Why did he do so? For the simple reason that BJP is finding it difficult to handle Siddaramaiah on his own pitch. His party the Congress, which is ruling Karnataka, has built its campaign around social sector schemes for poor and backward castes, sense of regional pride centred around flag, language and injustice, and acknowledgement of Lingayats as separate religion. The Lingayat issue has become a thorn and for this reason PM Modi, without going into the detail, accused Congress of caste hunting in every election. Siddaramaiah's campaign also revolves around his personality. It exudes the confidence of a strong regional leader who has the capacity to take on the might of Modi. Similar narrative was successfully milked by Modi himself when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. The water of Narmada was turned into an issue of injustice. Similarly, Siddaramaiah has turned the issue of funds for the agricultural sector into sense of injustice to the state. Modi too represented regional pride when he was the chief minister so all the social development data campaign of the Congress failed repeatedly. Modi that way has taken a risk. In 2012, when Congress built a campaign on economic index, it failed in front of 'Gujarati asmita' which Modi evoked. But from electoral perspective, BJP in Karnataka has been left with no choice. Even Yedyurrapa has failed to campaign like a regional stalwart. The message in the electorate is that BJP president Amit Shah is calling all the shots unlike Siddaramaiah who has successfully cultivated the image of a leader who is impervious to the machinations of the Delhi-based leaders. The message is that Siddaramaiah gets his way with Congress leadership. Though Yedyrappa has been given prominence in posters with Modi and Shah, it has not achieved that standing in people's eyes. It is for this reason that the BJP is trying to shift goal posts to development and work done by the Centre. Though Modi in his speech said that he is a proud Kannadiga, it will take more than that for the BJP to turn this electoral battle around. Till now, BJP has only been responding to the Congress's campaign. Barring Bengaluru civic issues, its campaign has really not created a buzz. If they want to wrest Karnataka, the BJP will have to strike an emotional chord with voters as to why they should be voted back as elections are purely anchored around emotive issues like identity, pride and justice. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: PM Modi resets Karnataka campaign tone

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today set out on the agenda to address Bhartiya Janta Party Karnataka candidates. In a live address, PM Modi entertained some of the BJP candidates' queries and talked on a range of topics concerning the state of Karnataka.&nbsp;

"Parties fear discussions on development as it is measurable," PM Modi noted.&nbsp;

Development is the only agenda of the BJP, the Prime Minister noted further adding that development is not an issue for the ones who deal in caste-based politics, "they give a lollipop of fake promises to a particular community and then do same with another community in next elections".&nbsp;

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We are fighting elections only on the issue of development. There is one aspect on which they can never defeat us, that is our power as a party & the power of the party's youth force: PM Modi to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> BJP workers <a href="https://t.co/Ujkz3e83Bh">pic.twitter.com/Ujkz3e83Bh</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/989355144151207936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He went on to note that for Karnataka, the party has the agenda of development that is fast paced&nbsp;and all rounded.

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Parties fear discussions on development as it is measurable. Development is not an issue for ones who do in caste-based politics, they give a lollipop of fake promises to particular community & then do same with another community in next elections: PM to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> BJP workers <a href="https://t.co/OnaZKZSYRu">pic.twitter.com/OnaZKZSYRu</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/989350457645690881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Prime Minister stated that the BJP will form a government in Karnataka with a majority, "there is one aspect on which they can never defeat us, that is our power as a party and the power of the party's youth force," he noted.

PM Modi also stressed the significance of empowering the poor.

He lashed out at the Congress alleging that the party spread lies and by hiring foreign agencies, "We need to purify the culture by removing Congress," he stated.&nbsp;

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Looking forward to interacting with all candidates, office bearers, elected representatives and Karyakartas of <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Karnataka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4Karnataka</a> through the 'Narendra Modi Mobile App' at 9 AM. <a href="https://t.co/ZFxnxXvOF6">https://t.co/ZFxnxXvOF6</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/989330981642493953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Rahul Gandhi-led Congress and the Bhartiya Janta Party are currently in full swing to lure the voters for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections.

The polls to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly will be held on May 12. The southern state is slated to witness a three-corner contest involving the ruling Congress, the BJP and the H D Deve Gowda-led JD(S). The result of the polls will be announced on May 15.

Modi spoke on Thursday to the BJP's candidates for the upcoming Karnataka elections and the party's workers via his NaMo app. He also took questions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today set out on the agenda to address Bhartiya Janta Party Karnataka candidates. In a live address, PM Modi entertained some of the BJP candidates' queries and talked on a range of topics concerning the state of Karnataka. "Parties fear discussions on development as it is measurable," PM Modi noted. Development is the only agenda of the BJP, the Prime Minister noted further adding that development is not an issue for the ones who deal in caste-based politics, "they give a lollipop of fake promises to a particular community and then do same with another community in next elections". We are fighting elections only on the issue of development. There is one aspect on which they can never defeat us, that is our power as a party & the power of the party's youth force: PM Modi to #Karnataka BJP workers pic.twitter.com/Ujkz3e83Bh — ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2018 × He went on to note that for Karnataka, the party has the agenda of development that is fast paced and all rounded. Parties fear discussions on development as it is measurable. Development is not an issue for ones who do in caste-based politics, they give a lollipop of fake promises to particular community & then do same with another community in next elections: PM to #Karnataka BJP workers pic.twitter.com/OnaZKZSYRu — ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2018 × The Prime Minister stated that the BJP will form a government in Karnataka with a majority, "there is one aspect on which they can never defeat us, that is our power as a party and the power of the party's youth force," he noted. PM Modi also stressed the significance of empowering the poor. He lashed out at the Congress alleging that the party spread lies and by hiring foreign agencies, "We need to purify the culture by removing Congress," he stated. Looking forward to interacting with all candidates, office bearers, elected representatives and Karyakartas of @BJP4Karnataka through the 'Narendra Modi Mobile App' at 9 AM. https://t.co/ZFxnxXvOF6 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2018 × Rahul Gandhi-led Congress and the Bhartiya Janta Party are currently in full swing to lure the voters for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections. The polls to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly will be held on May 12. The southern state is slated to witness a three-corner contest involving the ruling Congress, the BJP and the H D Deve Gowda-led JD(S). The result of the polls will be announced on May 15.

We cannot be defeated because of power of party: PM Modi before Karnataka elections

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will file his nomination from Badami constituency in north Karnataka on April 24 between 2-3 pm.

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The leader has already filed his nomination from Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysore.

Siddaramaiah had expressed his desire to contest from Chamundeshwari, however, the party wanted him to contest from Badami constituency as well, reports suggest.

The Badami constituency has a strong presence of Kuruba community, which Siddaramaiah belongs to.&nbsp;

He had said earlier that he would leave the decision of contesting from two constituencies on senior party leaders.&nbsp;

The party, in its list of candidates contesting for the polls, had named Dr Devraj Patil as a nominee from Baduni. However, the party had put a hold on his B-form. In its final list of candidates, the party&nbsp;had replaced the name of Dr Patil with that of Siddaramaiah.

His desire to contest from two constituencies was not appreciated by veteran party leaders Mallikarjuna Kharge and Veerappa Moily.

Siddaramaiah had been representing Varuna constituency in Mysore since 2008. He later gave up the constituency for his son Dr Yatindra.

He won five times from Chamundeshwari and was defeated twice from the seat.&nbsp;

He will file the nomination in Badami constituency on April 24. The constituency has a strong presence of Kuruba community, which Siddaramaiah belongs to.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will file his nomination from Badami constituency in north Karnataka on April 24 between 2-3 pm. × The leader has already filed his nomination from Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysore. Siddaramaiah had expressed his desire to contest from Chamundeshwari, however, the party wanted him to contest from Badami constituency as well, reports suggest. The Badami constituency has a strong presence of Kuruba community, which Siddaramaiah belongs to. He had said earlier that he would leave the decision of contesting from two constituencies on senior party leaders. The party, in its list of candidates contesting for the polls, had named Dr Devraj Patil as a nominee from Baduni. However, the party had put a hold on his B-form. In its final list of candidates, the party had replaced the name of Dr Patil with that of Siddaramaiah. His desire to contest from two constituencies was not appreciated by veteran party leaders Mallikarjuna Kharge and Veerappa Moily. Siddaramaiah had been representing Varuna constituency in Mysore since 2008. He later gave up the constituency for his son Dr Yatindra. He won five times from Chamundeshwari and was defeated twice from the seat.

Karnataka elections: Siddaramaiah to file nomination from second constituency on Tuesday

The suspense over Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah contesting from two constituencies in the May 12 assembly polls deepened further today, even as he maintained he would leave the final call to the party high command.

An official tour programme circulated by the chief minister's office said Siddaramaiah would file his nomination from Badami in north Karnataka on April 23.

But soon thereafter, the programme list was withdrawn with a message that the schedule for April 23 would be issued separately.

Siddaramaiah, who has already filed his nomination from Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysuru, has been saying that he was under pressure from local party leaders in Bagalkote and Vijayapura districts to contest from Badami but would leave the final decision to the Congress high command.

Since the last few days, Siddaramaiah has been saying that he was under pressure from local Congress leaders to contest from Badami as it would benefit party's performance in the northern parts of the state.

Siddaramaiah had been camping in Mysuru since Monday&nbspand has dedicated his entire schedule for campaigning in Chamundeshwari and Varuna, constituencies from where he and&nbsphis son Yatindra are candidates respectively.

He returned to Bengaluru today.

Siddaramaiah restricting his campaign to two&nbspconstituencies has fuelled speculations that he was unhappy&nbspthat the party central leadership had not allowed him to" contest from two constituencies.

The Congress in its list of candidates for 218 seats" announced on April 15, had named Dr Devraj Patil as its" nominee from Badami.

But issuing of B-form (required to be filed by a political party mentioning the name of its approved candidate) to Patil has been put on hold.

Siddaramaiah's reported wish to contest from two seats&nbspwas said to have met with stiff opposition from veteran party leaders Mallikarjuna Kharge and Veerappa Moily, after which it&nbspwas decided to field Patil.

Fielding Patil has led to internal squabbling within the local unit of the party with many including sitting&nbspMLA Chimmanakatti opposed to it.

Chimmanakatti has said if the Chief Minister is not contesting, he should be the candidate.

Badami with strong Kuruba presence, the community to&nbspwhich Siddaramaiah belongs, was seen as second safe option for the Chief Minister as reports have suggested that the battle in Chamundeshwari will not be an easy one for him.

Siddaramaiah has won five times and tasted defeat&nbsptwice at Chamundeshwari, from where he has been announced as&nbspthe candidate.

He has been representing Varuna constituency in Mysuru since 2008, which has now been allotted to his son.

Speaking to reporters here today, Siddaramaiah said he had conveyed to the high command his desire to contest only from Chamundeshwari constituency.

"I have told the high command that I will contest from" Chamundeshwari and not from two constituencies.

"However, the people of north Karnataka are pressurising the high command that I should contest from north Karnataka too," he said.

The chief minister said he has not taken any decision and he will go by the decision of the high command.&nbsp

An official tour programme circulated by the chief minister's office said Siddaramaiah would file his nomination from Badami in north Karnataka on April 23.

The suspense over Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah contesting from two constituencies in the May 12 assembly polls deepened further today, even as he maintained he would leave the final call to the party high command. An official tour programme circulated by the chief minister's office said Siddaramaiah would file his nomination from Badami in north Karnataka on April 23. But soon thereafter, the programme list was withdrawn with a message that the schedule for April 23 would be issued separately. Siddaramaiah, who has already filed his nomination from Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysuru, has been saying that he was under pressure from local party leaders in Bagalkote and Vijayapura districts to contest from Badami but would leave the final decision to the Congress high command. Since the last few days, Siddaramaiah has been saying that he was under pressure from local Congress leaders to contest from Badami as it would benefit party's performance in the northern parts of the state. Siddaramaiah had been camping in Mysuru since Monday&nbspand has dedicated his entire schedule for campaigning in Chamundeshwari and Varuna, constituencies from where he and&nbsphis son Yatindra are candidates respectively. He returned to Bengaluru today. Siddaramaiah restricting his campaign to two&nbspconstituencies has fuelled speculations that he was unhappy&nbspthat the party central leadership had not allowed him to" contest from two constituencies. The Congress in its list of candidates for 218 seats" announced on April 15, had named Dr Devraj Patil as its" nominee from Badami. But issuing of B-form (required to be filed by a political party mentioning the name of its approved candidate) to Patil has been put on hold. Siddaramaiah's reported wish to contest from two seats&nbspwas said to have met with stiff opposition from veteran party leaders Mallikarjuna Kharge and Veerappa Moily, after which it&nbspwas decided to field Patil. Fielding Patil has led to internal squabbling within the local unit of the party with many including sitting&nbspMLA Chimmanakatti opposed to it. Chimmanakatti has said if the Chief Minister is not contesting, he should be the candidate. Badami with strong Kuruba presence, the community to&nbspwhich Siddaramaiah belongs, was seen as second safe option for the Chief Minister as reports have suggested that the battle in Chamundeshwari will not be an easy one for him. Siddaramaiah has won five times and tasted defeat&nbsptwice at Chamundeshwari, from where he has been announced as&nbspthe candidate. He has been representing Varuna constituency in Mysuru since 2008, which has now been allotted to his son. Speaking to reporters here today, Siddaramaiah said he had conveyed to the high command his desire to contest only from Chamundeshwari constituency. "I have told the high command that I will contest from" Chamundeshwari and not from two constituencies. "However, the people of north Karnataka are pressurising the high command that I should contest from north Karnataka too," he said. The chief minister said he has not taken any decision and he will go by the decision of the high command.

Suspense over Siddaramaiah contesting from two constituencies deepens

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