With 101 seats, Congress single-largest party in Karnataka: Republic P-Marq exit poll
The ruling BJP will be in second place, while the JDS, at third, will emerge as the kingmaker, according to the projection.
The Congress will emerge as the single-largest party ahead of the ruling BJP, in Karnataka, an exit poll conducted by Republic P-Marq projected on Wednesday.
According to the exit poll, Congress will win 94-108 seats (median 101) in the 224-member assembly, along with a vote share of 40%. The ruling BJP, on the other hand, will bag 85-100 seats (median 92) at a vote share of 36%. On the other hand, former PM Deve Gowda's JDS, as always, will emerge as the kingmaker, winning 24-32 (median 28) seats and 17% votes. Others, meanwhile, will win 2-6 seats (median 4) and a vote share of 7%.
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Almost all exit polls, in fact, have predicted a hung assembly, with the Congress either in majority or single-largest party, and the BJP, a close second. Only Asianet-Jann Ki Baat, and News Nation-CGS have given an edge to the saffron party, with the latter of the two giving it 114 seats – one seat above the majority mark of 113 – and the grand old party, 86.
It is to be noted, however, that exit polls are only projections; the actual results may or may not be in line with the projections.
The voting for the Karnataka assembly election took place on Wednesday, and a turnout of 65.59% was registered till 5 pm; the polling began at 7 am, and concluded at 6 pm. The counting of votes will be held on Saturday.