BS Yeddyurappa, the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate, said his party will form the government in Karnataka “100%” ahead of his meeting with governor Vajubhai Vala after the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) come together to make a similar claim.
Yeddyurappa earlier condemned what he termed Congress’ attempt at a backdoor entry to power with the help of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda’s JD(S).
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The former CM said at a press conference in Bengaluru that the people of Karnataka have rejected the Congress and the mandate is in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s favour.
“The electorate of Karnataka has given a verdict for change,” Yeddyurappa said, adding the Congress was making “unholy attempts” to grab power.
He pointed out to the “misrule of the past five years”, and stressed the anti-incumbency factor in Karnataka was so strong that even chief minister Siddaramaiah lost one of the two seats he contested in a bitterly fought election.
The BJP was leading in 104 seats, the Congress was ahead in 78 seats and the JD(S) in 37 at 5pm, Election Commission data showed. Results are being declared for 222 of the 224 seats in the state where voting in two constituencies was countermanded.
{{/usCountry}}The BJP was leading in 104 seats, the Congress was ahead in 78 seats and the JD(S) in 37 at 5pm, Election Commission data showed. Results are being declared for 222 of the 224 seats in the state where voting in two constituencies was countermanded.
{{/usCountry}}In a twist late in the day, the Congress and the JD(S) said they will come together to form a government.
Thanking the people, Yeddyurappa said he will discuss the party’s stand with the central leadership, including BJP president Amit Shah.
Yeddyurappa, a Lingayat leader who had parted ways with the BJP to fight the 2013 assembly election separately, is seen as a key figure behind his party’s resurgence in Karnataka.