<p>BJP's national general secretary Ram Madhav on Tuesday said that the party's southward march has begun, news agency ANI reported.</p>

<p>Speaking to reporters after party's impressive victory in the just concluded Karnataka elections, he thanked the people of Karnataka for the mandate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also gave credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Credit goes to the hard work of PM Modi and Amit Shah ji, as well as state leadership, party workers and RSS cadre, he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Sangha Parivar cadres have helped us enormously, he said and added in certain regions, like coastal Karnataka, Parivar has helped us a lot, Madhav said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, BJP Parliamentary Board is all set to meet at 6 pm at party headquarters in Delhi. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I would like to thank the people of Karnataka for this mandate. Also, credit goes to the hard work of PM Modi and Amit Shah ji, as well as state leadership,party workers and RSS cadre. BJP's southward march has begun: Ram Madhav,BJP <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hxw7eEoDPf">pic.twitter.com/Hxw7eEoDPf</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996285744464379904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Sangha Parivar cadres have helped us enormously. In certain regions, like coastal Karnataka, Parivar has helped us a lot: Ram Madhav, BJP <a href="https://t.co/qVbGqy3g55">pic.twitter.com/qVbGqy3g55</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996287815536132096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Madhav gave credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah.

BJP's national general secretary Ram Madhav on Tuesday said that the party's southward march has begun, news agency ANI reported. Speaking to reporters after party's impressive victory in the just concluded Karnataka elections, he thanked the people of Karnataka for the mandate. He also gave credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah. Credit goes to the hard work of PM Modi and Amit Shah ji, as well as state leadership, party workers and RSS cadre, he said. The Sangha Parivar cadres have helped us enormously, he said and added in certain regions, like coastal Karnataka, Parivar has helped us a lot, Madhav said. Meanwhile, BJP Parliamentary Board is all set to meet at 6 pm at party headquarters in Delhi. I would like to thank the people of Karnataka for this mandate. Also, credit goes to the hard work of PM Modi and Amit Shah ji, as well as state leadership,party workers and RSS cadre. BJP's southward march has begun: Ram Madhav,BJP #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/Hxw7eEoDPf — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × The Sangha Parivar cadres have helped us enormously. In certain regions, like coastal Karnataka, Parivar has helped us a lot: Ram Madhav, BJP pic.twitter.com/qVbGqy3g55 — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 ×

BJP's southward march has begun, says Ram Madhav

The BJP is leading currently in Tiptur, Hosakote, Chitradurga and Chikmagalur assembly constituencies.

PM Modi may have joined the Karnataka polls in the last 10 days but he has had lasting effect on the polls. Also See: Live Karnataka election leads: Congress: 57 | BJP: 121 | JD(S)+: 42 The BJP is currently ahead in 11 constituencies of the 19 assembly seats in which PM Modi campaigned. Interestingly, the Congress is leading in Bidar, Raichur, Gadag, Mangalore and Chamarajanagar with the JD(S) ahead in Bangarpet which saw Modi running a high-voltage campaign. Rahul Gandhi has campaigned in 16 constituencies across Karnataka in the last two months with the Congress leading in just 6 seats so far. In the majority of the seats, the JD(S) is leading. The BJP is leading currently in Tiptur, Hosakote, Chitradurga and Chikmagalur assembly constituencies. Modi Rally Lead Bidar INC Gulbarga Uttar BJP Bijapur City BJP Jamkhandi BJP Chikkodi-Sadalga Raichur INC Koppal BJP Gadag INC Hubli-Dharwad East BJP Bellary City BJP Chitradurga BJP Shimoga BJP Udupi BJP Mangalore INC Chickamagalur BJP Tumkur Rural BJP Bangalore South Bangarpet JD(S) Chamarajanagar INC Rahul Rally Lead Aurad BJP Bhalki INC Chincholi INC Humnabad INC Gadag INC Pavagada JD(S) Chikkaballapur INC Devanahalli JD(S) Hassan JD(S) tiptur BJP Mangalore INC Hosakote BJP Kolar JD(S) Chitradurga BJP Chikmagalur BJP Sringeri INC

BJP leads in most constituencies Modi campaigned, Rahul effect fades for Congress

<p>Now that it is clear that the Congress will fall short of majority in Karnataka, the BJP has already taken to streets in full rigor while celebrating its&nbsp;win.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The counting of votes began on Tuesday morning for the recently concluded Karnataka elections and as per latest official trend, BJP leads in 113 constituencies while Congress in 67. JD(S) ahead in 40 seats.</p>

<p>Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was on Tuesday trailing in both the constituencies where he contested, officials said.</p>

<p>The Congress leader, who had contested successfully from Chamundeshwari constituency in the 2013 Assembly elections, was way behind G.T Deve Gowda of the Janata Dal-Secular by over 13,000 votes, Election Commission officials said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While BJP chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa leads in Shikaripura by over 9,000 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also, party leader Mallikarjun Kharge said on Tuesday that an alliance with the&nbsp;Janata Dal-Secular&nbsp;or JDS was possible.&nbsp;He said he will discuss the possibility of an alliance with HD Deve Gowda's party with the high command.</p>

<p><strong><em><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-karnataka-election-results-counting-underway-as-bjp-congress-wait-for-results-136866">Watch the live election&nbsp;updates here</a></em></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP workers celebrate outside party office in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> as trends show the party is set to win <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElectionResults2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElectionResults2018</a>. <a href="https://t.co/uOznAJ6A7E">pic.twitter.com/uOznAJ6A7E</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996266790547214336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Several party leaders and ministers took to Twitter to congratulate and express their views on the Karnataka election results while some conveyed delight others took no chance to lash out.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations to the winners of the Karnataka elections. For those who lost, fight back. If Congress had gone into an alliance with the JD(S), the result would have been different. Very different</p>
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/MamataOfficial/status/996265476094279680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rahul Gandhi did his best, but it is we who have lost the elections. We, the local leadership, should have en-cashed it in a proper way & because of which we lost it: DK Shivkumar, Karnataka Minister on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/mTUCbrfO0V">pic.twitter.com/mTUCbrfO0V</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996269026455076864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">People of Karnataka want good governance, that is why they have chosen BJP. This is a big victory for the party. Congress is losing state after state & we are winning state after state: Prakash Javadekar, BJP Karnataka in-charge <a href="https://t.co/ifgr278QRe">pic.twitter.com/ifgr278QRe</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996271826039857152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am saying it from day 1, there is no political party in India which has not raised questions on EVMs, even BJP has done it in the past. Now when all parties are doubting EVMs then what problem does BJP have in conducting polls through ballot?: Mohan Prakash,Congress <a href="https://t.co/t70xtsaHoX">pic.twitter.com/t70xtsaHoX</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996265295797891072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">People have rejected Siddaramaiah. He lost because of his attitude, because of attacking everyone & because of his loose talk: GT Devegowda, JD(S) candidate who is leading over Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari by 17000 votes. <a href="https://t.co/6Sw82tiBgs">pic.twitter.com/6Sw82tiBgs</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996263538153865216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is a historic win for BJP. I want to thank all the people of Karnataka for voting for us. Ab desh mein Congress khojo abhiyan chalega, kahaan rahegi pata nahi: Raman Singh, CM of Chhattisgarh. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/Fc9tao6paN">pic.twitter.com/Fc9tao6paN</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996259820465405953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


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

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

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

<p>Chief minister<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/siddaramaiah-trails-by-over-11000-votes-in-chamundeshwari--136911"> Siddaramaiah fortunes took a </a>U-turn on Tuesday morning as he trails by over 13,000 votes in Chamundeshwari and by over 400 votes in Badami.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-karnataka-election-results-counting-underway-as-bjp-congress-wait-for-results-136866">Also See: Live Karnataka election leads: Congress: 57 | BJP: 121 | JD(S)+: 42</a></p>

<p>The chief minister who was widely expected to retain at least one seat is now struggling to keep both his constituencies with him. Siddaramaiah's fortunes mirrors the Congress which has failed to keep up with the BJP, ahead in just 59 seats.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is a historic win for BJP. I want to thank all the people of Karnataka for voting for us. Ab desh mein Congress khojo abhiyan chalega, kahaan rahegi pata nahi: Raman Singh, CM of Chhattisgarh. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/Fc9tao6paN">pic.twitter.com/Fc9tao6paN</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996259820465405953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress has managed to garner Dalit votes but failed to appeal to larger voters of the state despite being in power for the last five years.</p>

<p>JD(S) on the other hand has played to its strength ahead in 40 seats currently leading in southern Karnataka.</p>

<p><iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BZKCtcMT-NA" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>BJP has got the arithmetic right yet again winning in rural seats including in coastal belt wining over Lingayat seats.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


JD(S) on the other hand has played to its strength ahead in 40 seats currently leading in southern Karnataka.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah fortunes took a U-turn on Tuesday morning as he trails by over 13,000 votes in Chamundeshwari and by over 400 votes in Badami. Also See: Live Karnataka election leads: Congress: 57 | BJP: 121 | JD(S)+: 42 The chief minister who was widely expected to retain at least one seat is now struggling to keep both his constituencies with him. Siddaramaiah's fortunes mirrors the Congress which has failed to keep up with the BJP, ahead in just 59 seats. This is a historic win for BJP. I want to thank all the people of Karnataka for voting for us. Ab desh mein Congress khojo abhiyan chalega, kahaan rahegi pata nahi: Raman Singh, CM of Chhattisgarh. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/Fc9tao6paN — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 × Congress has managed to garner Dalit votes but failed to appeal to larger voters of the state despite being in power for the last five years. JD(S) on the other hand has played to its strength ahead in 40 seats currently leading in southern Karnataka. BJP has got the arithmetic right yet again winning in rural seats including in coastal belt wining over Lingayat seats.

Karnataka elections: Siddaramaiah slides as BJP marches ahead; JD(S) dominates south

<p>GT Deve Gowda of JD(S) on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and said that the latter lost the elections because of his loose talk.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''People have rejected Siddaramaiah. He lost because of his attitude, because of attacking everyone and because of his loose talk,'' said GT Deve Gowda, JD(S) candidate who is leading over Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari by 17000 votes.</p>

<p>Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency recorded a voter turnout of 76.05 per cent&nbsp;during polling on Saturday.</p>

<p>As per&nbsp;trends available for 207 out of 222 seats,&nbsp;BJP leads in 110 seats. Congress in&nbsp;56 and&nbsp;JD(S) in 38 seats.&nbsp;</p>


As per trends available for 207 out of 222 seats, BJP leads in 110 seats. Congress in 56 and JD(S) in 38 seats.

GT Deve Gowda of JD(S) on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and said that the latter lost the elections because of his loose talk. ''People have rejected Siddaramaiah. He lost because of his attitude, because of attacking everyone and because of his loose talk,'' said GT Deve Gowda, JD(S) candidate who is leading over Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari by 17000 votes. Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency recorded a voter turnout of 76.05 per cent during polling on Saturday. As per trends available for 207 out of 222 seats, BJP leads in 110 seats. Congress in 56 and JD(S) in 38 seats.

Siddaramaiah lost because of loose talk, claims GT Deve Gowda

<p>Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was on Tuesday trailing in both the constituencies where he contested, officials said.</p>

<p>The Congress leader, who had contested successfully from Chamundeshwari&nbsp;constituency in the 2013&nbsp;Assembly elections, was way behind G.T Deve Gowda of the Janata Dal-Secular by over 13,000 votes, Election Commission officials said.</p>

<p>And after leading initially, Siddaramaiah fell behind B.R. Sriramulu of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Badami constituency by 428 seats.</p>

<p>The counting of votes began on Tuesday morning for the recently concluded Karnataka elections and as per latest official trend, BJP leads in 100 constituencies whil&nbsp;Congress in 52. JD(S) ahead in 37 seats.</p>

<p>However, the CM is trailing in Chamundeshwari.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, BJP chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa leads in Shikaripura by over 9,000 votes.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


BJP chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa leads in Shikaripura by over 9,000 votes

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was on Tuesday trailing in both the constituencies where he contested, officials said. The Congress leader, who had contested successfully from Chamundeshwari constituency in the 2013 Assembly elections, was way behind G.T Deve Gowda of the Janata Dal-Secular by over 13,000 votes, Election Commission officials said. And after leading initially, Siddaramaiah fell behind B.R. Sriramulu of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Badami constituency by 428 seats. The counting of votes began on Tuesday morning for the recently concluded Karnataka elections and as per latest official trend, BJP leads in 100 constituencies whil Congress in 52. JD(S) ahead in 37 seats. However, the CM is trailing in Chamundeshwari. Meanwhile, BJP chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa leads in Shikaripura by over 9,000 votes.

Big guns battle in Karnataka: Siddaramaiah trails; Yeddyurappa races ahead

<p>If the initial trends are anything to go by in the counting of votes in the Karnataka Assembly elections, there is no shock. The&nbsp;big guns from all three major political parties are leading. However, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is contesting from two constituencies, is trailing in&nbsp;Chamundeshwari seat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah trailing by about 8,000 votes in Chamundeshwari seat, according to PTI. However, he is&nbsp;leading in Badami constituency.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>BJP chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa is leading in Shikaripura constituency.</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah's son Dr Yathindra is leading from Varuna constituency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>JD (S) chief ministerial candidate HD Kumaraswamy is leading in Ramanagara and Channapatna constituencies __ two constituencies he is contesting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>BJP leads in 9 seats, Congress in 3, according to initial trends in Karnataka Assembly polls, reports PTI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Siddaramaiah trailing by about 8,000 votes in Chamundeshwari seat

If the initial trends are anything to go by in the counting of votes in the Karnataka Assembly elections, there is no shock. The big guns from all three major political parties are leading. However, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is contesting from two constituencies, is trailing in Chamundeshwari seat. Siddaramaiah trailing by about 8,000 votes in Chamundeshwari seat, according to PTI. However, he is leading in Badami constituency. BJP chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa is leading in Shikaripura constituency. Siddaramaiah's son Dr Yathindra is leading from Varuna constituency. JD (S) chief ministerial candidate HD Kumaraswamy is leading in Ramanagara and Channapatna constituencies __ two constituencies he is contesting. BJP leads in 9 seats, Congress in 3, according to initial trends in Karnataka Assembly polls, reports PTI.

Karnataka results: Big guns leading as counting begins

<p>He was thrown out of the JD(S) in 2005 for anti-party activities following his sharp differences with its leadership over HD Kumaraswamy's growing clout in the party.</p>

<p>Twelve years down the line, Siddaramaiah, the 69-year-old leader from the backward Kuruba community, today offered Karnataka's chief ministership to his political foe Kumaraswamy whose party finished a poor third with barely 37 seats in its kitty.</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah suffered a humiliating defeat in Chamundeshwari where he lost to GT Deve Gowda of the JD(S) by over 36,000 votes, but managed to win Badami by a slender margin of 1,696 votes against BJP's B Sreeramulu, a sitting saffron party MP and close aide of the controversial Reddy brothers.</p>

<p>Despite being considered an "outsider" by a section of the Karnataka Congress for his socialist roots, Siddaramaiah became the first chief minister since Devraj Urs (1972-77) to complete a full five-year term in office.</p>

<p>Born into a poor farming family in Siddaramanahundi village in 1948, Siddaramaiah, the second of five siblings, did not have formal education initially, and joined school in the 5th grade.</p>

<p>Overcoming adversity, he did his BSc and obtained a degree in law. He practised law and even taught it for a while in Mysuru.</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah, who goes by the single name, joined politics under the influence of Nanjunda Swamy, a farmer leader who campaigned against agricultural patenting by multinational corporations.</p>

<p>He made his debut in the Assembly in 1983 from Chamundeshwari constituency on a Lok Dal ticket. He later joined the Janata Dal.</p>

<p>Admired for his canny political sense and his rustic, down to earth characteristics, Siddaramaiah climbed up the ladder in the Janata Dal, and served as minister in the party's governments. He also served as deputy chief minister twice.</p>

<p>A 7-term legislator, Siddaramaiah followed his mentor H D Deve Gowda after the Janata Dal split and the former prime minister formed the JD(S).</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah later floated his own party-- All India Progressive Janata Dal--following his expulsion from the JD (S). He had irreconcilable differences with Deve Gowda over the growing influence of his son H D Kumaraswamy in the party.</p>

<p>The expulsion came when Siddaramaiah started actively particiating in the AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) movement. Castes and communities constituting the AHINDA were considered the bedrock of the Congress's support base in Karnataka.</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah later merged his party with the Congress.</p>

<p>In the 2006 Assembly elections, Siddaramaiah contested from Chamundeshwari on Congress ticket and won by a wafer thin margin of 257 votes against the JD(S) candidate. However, he had exacted a sweet revenge.</p>

<p>He was appointed chairman of the publicity committee of the Congress in the 2008 Assembly polls, which the BJP won. He was then appointed the Leader of the Opposition, a reflection of his growing clout in the Congress.</p>

<p>The BJP's stint in power was marred by intra-party feuds and allegations of corruption.</p>

<p>When the BJP lost the 2013 polls, Siddaramaiah was appointed the chief minister.</p>

<p>Known for taking bold decisions, Siddaramaiah decided to celebrate 'Tipu Jayanti', a move denounced by the BJP as "appeasement politics". His government also took the controversial decision of recommending religious minority status for the influential Lingayat community in the run up to the polls.<br />
He launched a plethora of populist schemes like the Annabhagya for free distribution of rice, Ksheeradhare under which subsidy was given for milk, Vidyasiri that made available hostel facilities for students, and many others.</p>

<p>The Siddaramaiah government also substantially raised the budgetary allocations for Dalits.</p>

<p>These populist measures were expected to effectively insulate Siddaramaiah against allegations of corruption as Modi mounted an aggressive assault, calling him a "Seedha rupaiah government" and "10 per cent commission government".</p>

<p>Apparently, the charges did stick.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


He was thrown out of the JD(S) in 2005 for anti-party activities following his sharp differences with its leadership over HD Kumaraswamy's growing clout in the party

He was thrown out of the JD(S) in 2005 for anti-party activities following his sharp differences with its leadership over HD Kumaraswamy's growing clout in the party. Twelve years down the line, Siddaramaiah, the 69-year-old leader from the backward Kuruba community, today offered Karnataka's chief ministership to his political foe Kumaraswamy whose party finished a poor third with barely 37 seats in its kitty. Siddaramaiah suffered a humiliating defeat in Chamundeshwari where he lost to GT Deve Gowda of the JD(S) by over 36,000 votes, but managed to win Badami by a slender margin of 1,696 votes against BJP's B Sreeramulu, a sitting saffron party MP and close aide of the controversial Reddy brothers. Despite being considered an "outsider" by a section of the Karnataka Congress for his socialist roots, Siddaramaiah became the first chief minister since Devraj Urs (1972-77) to complete a full five-year term in office. Born into a poor farming family in Siddaramanahundi village in 1948, Siddaramaiah, the second of five siblings, did not have formal education initially, and joined school in the 5th grade. Overcoming adversity, he did his BSc and obtained a degree in law. He practised law and even taught it for a while in Mysuru. Siddaramaiah, who goes by the single name, joined politics under the influence of Nanjunda Swamy, a farmer leader who campaigned against agricultural patenting by multinational corporations. He made his debut in the Assembly in 1983 from Chamundeshwari constituency on a Lok Dal ticket. He later joined the Janata Dal. Admired for his canny political sense and his rustic, down to earth characteristics, Siddaramaiah climbed up the ladder in the Janata Dal, and served as minister in the party's governments. He also served as deputy chief minister twice. A 7-term legislator, Siddaramaiah followed his mentor H D Deve Gowda after the Janata Dal split and the former prime minister formed the JD(S). Siddaramaiah later floated his own party-- All India Progressive Janata Dal--following his expulsion from the JD (S). He had irreconcilable differences with Deve Gowda over the growing influence of his son H D Kumaraswamy in the party. The expulsion came when Siddaramaiah started actively particiating in the AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) movement. Castes and communities constituting the AHINDA were considered the bedrock of the Congress's support base in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah later merged his party with the Congress. In the 2006 Assembly elections, Siddaramaiah contested from Chamundeshwari on Congress ticket and won by a wafer thin margin of 257 votes against the JD(S) candidate. However, he had exacted a sweet revenge. He was appointed chairman of the publicity committee of the Congress in the 2008 Assembly polls, which the BJP won. He was then appointed the Leader of the Opposition, a reflection of his growing clout in the Congress. The BJP's stint in power was marred by intra-party feuds and allegations of corruption. When the BJP lost the 2013 polls, Siddaramaiah was appointed the chief minister. Known for taking bold decisions, Siddaramaiah decided to celebrate 'Tipu Jayanti', a move denounced by the BJP as "appeasement politics". His government also took the controversial decision of recommending religious minority status for the influential Lingayat community in the run up to the polls. He launched a plethora of populist schemes like the Annabhagya for free distribution of rice, Ksheeradhare under which subsidy was given for milk, Vidyasiri that made available hostel facilities for students, and many others. The Siddaramaiah government also substantially raised the budgetary allocations for Dalits. These populist measures were expected to effectively insulate Siddaramaiah against allegations of corruption as Modi mounted an aggressive assault, calling him a "Seedha rupaiah government" and "10 per cent commission government". Apparently, the charges did stick.

Once expelled from JD(S), Siddaramaiah now offers crown to foe Kumaraswamy

<p>Despite their electoral loss, the Congress has been able to upset the BJP’s applecart by ensuring that Kumaraswamy becomes the Chief Minister of the state. BJP has cried foul saying that it is unethical but the fact that BJP made governments in Manipur, Meghalaya and Goa does not cut much ice in the public domain. Despite the loss, the Congress by allowing JD(S) to step in will allow regional parties to further collaborate with each other closely. The case in example is the way the SP and the BSP cooperated with each other during the Phulpur and the Gorakhpur by-elections. It will also boost the morale of the Congress which has been outmanoeuvred and outwitted by BJP continuously in the last four years. It will help them retain the state in partnership and ensure that the party prepares well for the upcoming assembly election in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The success will add shine to Rahul Gandhi’s leadership for being proactive and ready with a plan B which was not done in the case of Goa and Manipur.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
That is where the bright side to this story ends as one doesn’t know till when the honeymoon between the JD(S) and the Congress will last. The present result shows that the JD(S) did well at the expense of the Congress Party in Mysore Karnataka.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The Congress despite increasing its voter base in the state received less seats than the BJP. It also lost large number of rural seats and the party did not do well in coastal, central and Hyderabad Karnataka.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The downside to the development is that the BJP can take the high moral ground and cry injustice. Karnataka being the bigger state will draw more attention than Manipur and Goa. BJP did very well in the rural areas and the 100+ seats that they got show that Prime Minister Narendra Modi still has the capacity to turn elections around. Atal Bihari Vajpayee could not politically function as prime minister despite being the single largest party as other regional parties ganged up against him. It was 1999, he was able to set the stage after being PM for 13 days and 13 months as the Opposition realised that the more they ganged up against him, the more sympathy he generated. On top of it, he was able to build an umbrella coalition which the Congress did not possess.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The Karnataka elections have shown that the BJP is organisationally powerful and understands that it needs to expand in areas to compensate for a saturated performance in Western and Northern India in the 2014 elections. There are places where they have succeeded but in the East and deep South, they have not been able to cut much ice.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Despite the Congress being weak, it will embolden regional parties to come together and tie up against the BJP. This could pose to be the real challenge for the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. It can put the Congress in a secondary role but urgency to put the BJP in a corner to survive can lead to the party's political isolation. In politics, position of strength can also create isolation as other political units can band to prevent overt hegemony. This should remain the BJP’s big fear.</p>

<p>Rajiv Gandhi faced a similar situation. The only difference is that the man opposing him was VP Singh who was the toast of the year and the man defending the fort was Rajiv Gandhi who was reeling under the charge of corruption. In 2019, there is no such face or leadership in the Opposition. Neither is there any consensus but political climate does exist for everyone to come together to fight an ever-expanding BJP.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Despite their electoral loss, the Congress has been able to upset the BJP’s applecart by ensuring that Kumaraswamy becomes the Chief Minister of the state

Despite their electoral loss, the Congress has been able to upset the BJP’s applecart by ensuring that Kumaraswamy becomes the Chief Minister of the state. BJP has cried foul saying that it is unethical but the fact that BJP made governments in Manipur, Meghalaya and Goa does not cut much ice in the public domain. Despite the loss, the Congress by allowing JD(S) to step in will allow regional parties to further collaborate with each other closely. The case in example is the way the SP and the BSP cooperated with each other during the Phulpur and the Gorakhpur by-elections. It will also boost the morale of the Congress which has been outmanoeuvred and outwitted by BJP continuously in the last four years. It will help them retain the state in partnership and ensure that the party prepares well for the upcoming assembly election in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The success will add shine to Rahul Gandhi’s leadership for being proactive and ready with a plan B which was not done in the case of Goa and Manipur. That is where the bright side to this story ends as one doesn’t know till when the honeymoon between the JD(S) and the Congress will last. The present result shows that the JD(S) did well at the expense of the Congress Party in Mysore Karnataka. The Congress despite increasing its voter base in the state received less seats than the BJP. It also lost large number of rural seats and the party did not do well in coastal, central and Hyderabad Karnataka. The downside to the development is that the BJP can take the high moral ground and cry injustice. Karnataka being the bigger state will draw more attention than Manipur and Goa. BJP did very well in the rural areas and the 100+ seats that they got show that Prime Minister Narendra Modi still has the capacity to turn elections around. Atal Bihari Vajpayee could not politically function as prime minister despite being the single largest party as other regional parties ganged up against him. It was 1999, he was able to set the stage after being PM for 13 days and 13 months as the Opposition realised that the more they ganged up against him, the more sympathy he generated. On top of it, he was able to build an umbrella coalition which the Congress did not possess. The Karnataka elections have shown that the BJP is organisationally powerful and understands that it needs to expand in areas to compensate for a saturated performance in Western and Northern India in the 2014 elections. There are places where they have succeeded but in the East and deep South, they have not been able to cut much ice. Despite the Congress being weak, it will embolden regional parties to come together and tie up against the BJP. This could pose to be the real challenge for the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. It can put the Congress in a secondary role but urgency to put the BJP in a corner to survive can lead to the party's political isolation. In politics, position of strength can also create isolation as other political units can band to prevent overt hegemony. This should remain the BJP’s big fear. Rajiv Gandhi faced a similar situation. The only difference is that the man opposing him was VP Singh who was the toast of the year and the man defending the fort was Rajiv Gandhi who was reeling under the charge of corruption. In 2019, there is no such face or leadership in the Opposition. Neither is there any consensus but political climate does exist for everyone to come together to fight an ever-expanding BJP.

Congress does to BJP in Karnataka what latter did to it in Goa

<p>With both the BJP and the Janata Dal Secular (JDS) staking claim to form the government in Karnataka, constitutional expert Subhash Kashyap said on Tuesday that it is entirely up to the Governor to appoint anyone he thinks proper.</p>

<p>Subhash Kashyap added that the governor is expected to be guided by his assessment of who is likely to command majority support in the house.</p>

<p>No party has got a clear majority in the assembly elections. Official EC trends at the moment say the BJP has won or is leading in 104 seats, the Congress in 78, the JD(S)+ in 37, and Others 3.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa has met the governor and asked for a chance to prove his majority.&nbsp; The JD(S) has also told the governor it would form the government with Congress support. The Congress and the JD(S) have joined hands with the former agreeing to give "unconditional support" to JD(S) chief Deve Gowda's son HD Kumaraswamy as chief minister of a coalition government.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Constitutional expert S Kashyap says 'Entirely up to Guv to appoint anyone he thinks proper. He's expected to be guided by his assessment of who is likely to command majority support in the House.' <a href="https://t.co/v4Z7Y6HjiJ">pic.twitter.com/v4Z7Y6HjiJ</a></p>
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No party has got a clear majority in the assembly elections. The BJP is ahead in 106 of the state's 224 seats, six short of a clear majority. The Congress is ahead in 77 and Deve Gowda's JD(S) in 37 seats

With both the BJP and the Janata Dal Secular (JDS) staking claim to form the government in Karnataka, constitutional expert Subhash Kashyap said on Tuesday that it is entirely up to the Governor to appoint anyone he thinks proper. Subhash Kashyap added that the governor is expected to be guided by his assessment of who is likely to command majority support in the house. No party has got a clear majority in the assembly elections. Official EC trends at the moment say the BJP has won or is leading in 104 seats, the Congress in 78, the JD(S)+ in 37, and Others 3. BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa has met the governor and asked for a chance to prove his majority. The JD(S) has also told the governor it would form the government with Congress support. The Congress and the JD(S) have joined hands with the former agreeing to give "unconditional support" to JD(S) chief Deve Gowda's son HD Kumaraswamy as chief minister of a coalition government. #WATCH Constitutional expert S Kashyap says 'Entirely up to Guv to appoint anyone he thinks proper. He's expected to be guided by his assessment of who is likely to command majority support in the House.' pic.twitter.com/v4Z7Y6HjiJ — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 ×

Karnataka results: What happens next will depend on Governor, says constitutional expert

<p>With the BJP emerging as the single-largest party in Karnataka, its chief Amit Shah today asserted that the party's winning streak will continue and it will win all elections from now on including the Lok Sabha polls in 2019.</p>

<p>The BJP chief, who was speaking in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other senior leaders of the party, said the state had shown trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "clean governance" and rejected the Congress' "divisive politics".</p>

<p>"Congress used the politics of caste to divide the people and tried to incite Dalits on SC/ST Act in Karnataka," Amit Shah said while addressing BJP workers at the party headquarters in New Delhi.</p>

<p>Accusing the Congress of using money and muscle power in Karnataka, Amit Shah said that the party was rejected by the people of the state.</p>

<p>The Congress and the JD(S) have joined hands and staked claim to form government.</p>

<p>Official EC trends at the moment say the BJP has won or is leading in 104 seats, the Congress in 78, the JD(S)+ in 37, and Others 3.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The majority mark is 112 in the 222-member Assembly. Voting for two seats is yet to take place.</p>

<p>Shah today dispatched three Union ministers, including Prakash Javadekar, J P Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan, to Karnataka to talk to potential allies to cobble up a majority for forming a government in the state.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from PTI</em>)</p>


With the BJP emerging as the single-largest party in Karnataka, its chief Amit Shah today asserted that the party will win all elections from now on including the Lok Sabha polls in 2019

With the BJP emerging as the single-largest party in Karnataka, its chief Amit Shah today asserted that the party's winning streak will continue and it will win all elections from now on including the Lok Sabha polls in 2019. The BJP chief, who was speaking in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other senior leaders of the party, said the state had shown trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "clean governance" and rejected the Congress' "divisive politics". "Congress used the politics of caste to divide the people and tried to incite Dalits on SC/ST Act in Karnataka," Amit Shah said while addressing BJP workers at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Accusing the Congress of using money and muscle power in Karnataka, Amit Shah said that the party was rejected by the people of the state. The Congress and the JD(S) have joined hands and staked claim to form government. Official EC trends at the moment say the BJP has won or is leading in 104 seats, the Congress in 78, the JD(S)+ in 37, and Others 3. The majority mark is 112 in the 222-member Assembly. Voting for two seats is yet to take place. Shah today dispatched three Union ministers, including Prakash Javadekar, J P Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan, to Karnataka to talk to potential allies to cobble up a majority for forming a government in the state. (With inputs from PTI)

BJP's winning streak will continue: Amit Shah

<p>As results of the Karnataka assembly elections started pouring in, a Congress delegation which had gone to the Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's house did not get entry and were turned back.</p>

<p>The delegation was led by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G Parameshwara, ANI reported.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, JD(S) leader Danish Ali confirmed that the Congress had extended its support to the party which had accepted it. The JD(S) leader said that both parties would together meet the Governor after 5:30 pm today.</p>

<p>"JD(S) had always maintained that HD Kumaraswamy will be CM. As per results, we're doing everything to keep BJP out of power. Congress has extended its support, we have accepted it. We will jointly go to meet Governor after 5.30 pm today," Danish Ali said.</p>

<p>The JD(S) and the Congress have agreed on HD Kumaraswamy as the next chief minister should they form the government in Karnataka, news reports said Tuesday.</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah has submitted his resignation to the Karnataka Governor.</p>

<p>Karnataka has a total of 224 assembly seats, but only 222 seats went to the polls this election. (Voting was postponed in two seats.)</p>

<p>The halfway mark is 112 seats.</p>

<p>The BJP is leading in 106 seats, the Congress in 75, the JD(S)+ in 38, and Others 3, Official Election Commission trends at the moment state.</p>

<p>That would give the JD(S)-Congress a total of 113 seats.</p>


JD(S) leader Danish Ali has confirmed that the Congress had extended its support to the party which had accepted it

As results of the Karnataka assembly elections started pouring in, a Congress delegation which had gone to the Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's house did not get entry and were turned back. The delegation was led by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G Parameshwara, ANI reported. Meanwhile, JD(S) leader Danish Ali confirmed that the Congress had extended its support to the party which had accepted it. The JD(S) leader said that both parties would together meet the Governor after 5:30 pm today. "JD(S) had always maintained that HD Kumaraswamy will be CM. As per results, we're doing everything to keep BJP out of power. Congress has extended its support, we have accepted it. We will jointly go to meet Governor after 5.30 pm today," Danish Ali said. The JD(S) and the Congress have agreed on HD Kumaraswamy as the next chief minister should they form the government in Karnataka, news reports said Tuesday. Siddaramaiah has submitted his resignation to the Karnataka Governor. Karnataka has a total of 224 assembly seats, but only 222 seats went to the polls this election. (Voting was postponed in two seats.) The halfway mark is 112 seats. The BJP is leading in 106 seats, the Congress in 75, the JD(S)+ in 38, and Others 3, Official Election Commission trends at the moment state. That would give the JD(S)-Congress a total of 113 seats.

Karnataka assembly elections: Earlier Congress delegation turned back from Governor's house

<p>After soaring over 436 points in early trade, stock markets entered the negative terrain towards the fag-end today amid poll trends indicating that the BJP might fall short of simple majority in Karnataka.<br />
<br />
The benchmark Sensex gave up all gains and was trading lower by about 59 points at 35,497.92 on reports that Congress would offer support to the JD(S) to form the government in Karnataka.<br />
<br />
As per latest poll trends, the BJP was leading on 108 seats, while congress was ahead on 73 and JD(S) on 38.</p>

<p>Investors who had created huge position after early trends on hopes of BJP win trimmed their bets after the saffron party seat prospects shrank.</p>

<p>The 30-share BSE index hit a high of 35,993.53 in morning trade. Later, it met with profit-booking at higher levels and slipped in the negative zone, falling 58.79 points, or 0.16 per cent to trade at 35,497.92.<br />
<br />
The 50-share Nifty reclaimed the key 10,900-mark to touch a high of 10,929.20 in initial trade and fell back by 25.20 points, or 0.23 per cent, to trade at 10,781.40.</p>

<p>Globally, Asian markets ended mixed and European markets opened lower.</p>


Investors who had created huge position after early trends on hopes of BJP win trimmed their bets after the saffron party seat prospects shrank

After soaring over 436 points in early trade, stock markets entered the negative terrain towards the fag-end today amid poll trends indicating that the BJP might fall short of simple majority in Karnataka. The benchmark Sensex gave up all gains and was trading lower by about 59 points at 35,497.92 on reports that Congress would offer support to the JD(S) to form the government in Karnataka. As per latest poll trends, the BJP was leading on 108 seats, while congress was ahead on 73 and JD(S) on 38. Investors who had created huge position after early trends on hopes of BJP win trimmed their bets after the saffron party seat prospects shrank. The 30-share BSE index hit a high of 35,993.53 in morning trade. Later, it met with profit-booking at higher levels and slipped in the negative zone, falling 58.79 points, or 0.16 per cent to trade at 35,497.92. The 50-share Nifty reclaimed the key 10,900-mark to touch a high of 10,929.20 in initial trade and fell back by 25.20 points, or 0.23 per cent, to trade at 10,781.40. Globally, Asian markets ended mixed and European markets opened lower.

Sensex slips after Congress-JD(S) alliance buzz in Karnataka

<p>A few days ago, a clutch of senior Congress leader had petitioned the President of India against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the use of "intimidating" language. Modi had said that his opponents should be willing to pay the price for taking him on. It appears the Congress had reasons to feel threatened.</p>

<p>It took him head-on in the course of campaigning of the Karnataka Assembly election and has now paid the price. The party has been toppled from power, and in a most decisive manner. Neither the entire might of the Congress nor the Rahul Gandhi-Siddaramaiah combines could save the party from the humiliating defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party has dealt it.</p>

<p>Mathematically speaking, exit polls had thrown up no clear winners and had suggested a hung House. Even if that had happened, it would have been a political defeat for the incumbent Congress regime and moral win for the BJP. But as it has turned out, both mathematically and politically, the BJP has registered a convincing triumph.&nbsp</p>

<p>The blow for the Congress is especially painful because it had done everything it could by the book — and away from it — to retain control of the only other major State it ruled in the country apart from Punjab.&nbsp</p>

<p>It had highlighted the questionable track record of the BJP's chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa, lack of job growth in the central rule of Prime Minister Modi, problems of demonetisation and the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (Gabbar Singh Tax, in Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s words), and touted developmental work done during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s tenure.</p>

<p>But most importantly, the Congress played the divisive card, fully assured that this, if everything else failed, would fetch results. It sought to wean away the Lingayat community — traditionally committed voters of the BJP — to its side by suddenly announcing for it a minority religious status. It played the Kannadiga identity card by announcing a separate flag for Karnataka and pushing for the Kannada language in public places such as Metro stations.</p>

<p>It surreptitiously took the assistance of fringe organisations such as the Popular Front of India (PFI). It vigorously supported the celebration of the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, again in a bid to attract minority votes. It spread the lie that the Modi Government had scrapped, or had plans to scrap, the law that provided protection to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.</p>

<p>All of these attempts not only failed but also backfired. The BJP's excellent showing in the Lingayat-dominated regions shows that the community, instead of being impressed, had been wary of the opportunistic manner in which it was being wooed by the Congress. Community members also took exception to the Congress move of dividing the community by planting the minority status seed.</p>

<p>On the other hand, the non-Lingayats joined hands against the Congress’s Lingayat outreach and voted for the BJP. In the end, the BJP benefitted from both Lingayat and non-Lingayat votes. This is most evident in the party’s good showing in the Vokkaliga belt where otherwise the Janata Dal (Secular) dominated.</p>

<p>The Congress's fear-mongering tactics collapsed in the Scheduled Castes-dominant area as well. At the time of writing, trends in this belt were clearly in the BJP’s favour, thus demonstrating that the Congress had failed to impress the Scheduled Castes with its narrative of the BJP being anti-Dalit. The likes of self-appointed Scheduled Castes leader Jignesh Mevani, who incidentally waded into Karnataka’s politics on the Congress’ behalf, failed to make a mark.</p>

<p>On the other hand, the Congress's attempt to polarise people using the Muslim factor boomeranged. The more it became known that the party was hobnobbing with the likes of the PFI, the more the non-Muslim voters rallied behind the BJP. This is obvious from the BJP's performance across the State — from Mumbai-Karnataka to Hyderabad-Karnataka to coastal Karnataka to central Karnataka to Bengaluru — and even Old Mysuru where traditionally the BJP has not been strong.</p>

<p>This is a repeat of Uttar Pradesh, where the minority appeasement politics of the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress ended up consolidating Hindu votes in the BJP's favour and Gujarat, where the Congress's pro-Hardik Patel drive angered the non-Patels and drove them into the BJP's lap. And here too, a large section of the Patels and an overwhelming number of non-Patels backed the BJP.</p>

<p>There is one element in the result that should gladden the BJP, and it is that the party has done remarkably well in the rural regions — nearly two-thirds of the Assembly constituencies in the State are 'rural.' The party has been grappling with an anti-farmer image nationally — real or perceptional — but the voters of Karnataka clearly do not endorse this image. The task was made easier for the BJP by the Siddaramaiah Government's poor track record since Karnataka had registered among the highest farmer suicide incidents due to rural distress.</p>

<p>Some quick larger inferences need to be drawn from the Karnataka outcome.&nbsp</p>

<p>The first is that Prime Minister Modi’s charisma remains intact — his carpet-bombing of the State in the last 10 days of campaigning contributed in a large measure to the BJP’s victory.&nbsp</p>

<p>The second is that BJP president Amit Shah’s election management, down to the booth level, is unparalleled.&nbsp</p>

<p>The third inference is that Congress president Rahul Gandhi is simply unable to evolve into a credible leader — one who can win elections, and one who is always the loser in a Rahul versus Modi narrative.&nbsp</p>

<p>The fourth is that the Congress is now weaker than before to lay claim to helm a joint opposition to take on the BJP in the next Lok Sabha election.&nbsp</p>

<p>The fifth inference is that with this win, the BJP will proceed with greater vigour to create an imprint in the south, especially in Kerala where it will be on its own though with the help of small regional outfits, and in Andhra Pradesh where the Telugu Desam Party has left the NDA.&nbsp</p>

<p>The sixth is that regional parties opposed to the BJP can now more forcefully distance the Congress from its scheme of things and move ahead to forge some kind of ‘third front’ unity.</p>

<p>The BJP has reason to celebrate, but there are equally bigger battles ahead. Later this year, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan go to polls, and if the party does not do well, it could lead to a dilution of the Karnataka impact. Let’s not forget that the Hindi belt is crucial to the party’s prospects of returning in 2019.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


The blow for the Congress is especially painful because it had done everything it could by the book — and away from it — to retain control of the only other major State it ruled in the country apart from Punjab

A few days ago, a clutch of senior Congress leader had petitioned the President of India against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the use of "intimidating" language. Modi had said that his opponents should be willing to pay the price for taking him on. It appears the Congress had reasons to feel threatened. It took him head-on in the course of campaigning of the Karnataka Assembly election and has now paid the price. The party has been toppled from power, and in a most decisive manner. Neither the entire might of the Congress nor the Rahul Gandhi-Siddaramaiah combines could save the party from the humiliating defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party has dealt it. Mathematically speaking, exit polls had thrown up no clear winners and had suggested a hung House. Even if that had happened, it would have been a political defeat for the incumbent Congress regime and moral win for the BJP. But as it has turned out, both mathematically and politically, the BJP has registered a convincing triumph. The blow for the Congress is especially painful because it had done everything it could by the book — and away from it — to retain control of the only other major State it ruled in the country apart from Punjab. It had highlighted the questionable track record of the BJP's chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa, lack of job growth in the central rule of Prime Minister Modi, problems of demonetisation and the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (Gabbar Singh Tax, in Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s words), and touted developmental work done during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s tenure. But most importantly, the Congress played the divisive card, fully assured that this, if everything else failed, would fetch results. It sought to wean away the Lingayat community — traditionally committed voters of the BJP — to its side by suddenly announcing for it a minority religious status. It played the Kannadiga identity card by announcing a separate flag for Karnataka and pushing for the Kannada language in public places such as Metro stations. It surreptitiously took the assistance of fringe organisations such as the Popular Front of India (PFI). It vigorously supported the celebration of the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan, again in a bid to attract minority votes. It spread the lie that the Modi Government had scrapped, or had plans to scrap, the law that provided protection to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. All of these attempts not only failed but also backfired. The BJP's excellent showing in the Lingayat-dominated regions shows that the community, instead of being impressed, had been wary of the opportunistic manner in which it was being wooed by the Congress. Community members also took exception to the Congress move of dividing the community by planting the minority status seed. On the other hand, the non-Lingayats joined hands against the Congress’s Lingayat outreach and voted for the BJP. In the end, the BJP benefitted from both Lingayat and non-Lingayat votes. This is most evident in the party’s good showing in the Vokkaliga belt where otherwise the Janata Dal (Secular) dominated. The Congress's fear-mongering tactics collapsed in the Scheduled Castes-dominant area as well. At the time of writing, trends in this belt were clearly in the BJP’s favour, thus demonstrating that the Congress had failed to impress the Scheduled Castes with its narrative of the BJP being anti-Dalit. The likes of self-appointed Scheduled Castes leader Jignesh Mevani, who incidentally waded into Karnataka’s politics on the Congress’ behalf, failed to make a mark. On the other hand, the Congress's attempt to polarise people using the Muslim factor boomeranged. The more it became known that the party was hobnobbing with the likes of the PFI, the more the non-Muslim voters rallied behind the BJP. This is obvious from the BJP's performance across the State — from Mumbai-Karnataka to Hyderabad-Karnataka to coastal Karnataka to central Karnataka to Bengaluru — and even Old Mysuru where traditionally the BJP has not been strong. This is a repeat of Uttar Pradesh, where the minority appeasement politics of the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress ended up consolidating Hindu votes in the BJP's favour and Gujarat, where the Congress's pro-Hardik Patel drive angered the non-Patels and drove them into the BJP's lap. And here too, a large section of the Patels and an overwhelming number of non-Patels backed the BJP. There is one element in the result that should gladden the BJP, and it is that the party has done remarkably well in the rural regions — nearly two-thirds of the Assembly constituencies in the State are 'rural.' The party has been grappling with an anti-farmer image nationally — real or perceptional — but the voters of Karnataka clearly do not endorse this image. The task was made easier for the BJP by the Siddaramaiah Government's poor track record since Karnataka had registered among the highest farmer suicide incidents due to rural distress. Some quick larger inferences need to be drawn from the Karnataka outcome. The first is that Prime Minister Modi’s charisma remains intact — his carpet-bombing of the State in the last 10 days of campaigning contributed in a large measure to the BJP’s victory. The second is that BJP president Amit Shah’s election management, down to the booth level, is unparalleled. The third inference is that Congress president Rahul Gandhi is simply unable to evolve into a credible leader — one who can win elections, and one who is always the loser in a Rahul versus Modi narrative. The fourth is that the Congress is now weaker than before to lay claim to helm a joint opposition to take on the BJP in the next Lok Sabha election. The fifth inference is that with this win, the BJP will proceed with greater vigour to create an imprint in the south, especially in Kerala where it will be on its own though with the help of small regional outfits, and in Andhra Pradesh where the Telugu Desam Party has left the NDA. The sixth is that regional parties opposed to the BJP can now more forcefully distance the Congress from its scheme of things and move ahead to forge some kind of ‘third front’ unity. The BJP has reason to celebrate, but there are equally bigger battles ahead. Later this year, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan go to polls, and if the party does not do well, it could lead to a dilution of the Karnataka impact. Let’s not forget that the Hindi belt is crucial to the party’s prospects of returning in 2019. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Karnataka election result is a defeat for divisive politics

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