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Karnataka polls LIVE: This is my last election, says Siddaramaiah
The Karnataka elections, seen as a precursor to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, carry high stakes for the Congress and the BJP. Follow live coverage of the elections here
Most exit polls for the Karnataka Assembly elections held on Saturday indicate a tight race between the ruling Congress party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The exit polls have forecast a hung assembly with the possibility of the Janata Dal (Secular (JD-S) of former prime minister H D Devegowda emerging as the kingmaker.
Any party or alliance will need the support of 112 MLAs to form the new government. In the 2013 state elections, the Congress won 122 seats. A split in the BJP reduced its tally to 40 seats. The JD(S) also got 40 seats.
Here are the live updates:
4.16pm: There are 3 parties in frame. Some seats will be taken by JD(S) which will perhaps have bearing on overall result, last time it didn’t. This time it might. We’re leaving open every possibility. Mr Siddaramaiah conducted sterling campaign and has good track record, says Shashi Tharoor.
4.15pm: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says the party is confidence of winning the elections. “I don’t think any Congress man or activist I have met in Karnataka has any doubt that we will be the single largest party. There is a lot of confidence I see out there,” Tharoor says.
2.34pm: When asked if Congress could enter into an alliance with JD(S), Pavan Khera says, “That situation is not going to arise, I can assure you that. I do not have any faith on exit polls whether it is in our favour or against us.”
2.09pm: Siddaramaiah says this is his last election. To a question on the possibility of a Dalit chief minister, he said, “It is fine if the party decides.”
.50pm: Siddaramaiah tweets on five years as chief minister.
Read: How top Karnataka assembly constituencies fared in voter turnout
12.55pm: When asked about Siddaramaiah’s take on the exit polls, Yeddyurappa tells ANI, “I am not saying this. Congress knows that it will lose in the election. There is no question of a hung assembly. I am confident that the BJP will form the government.”
11.41am: “He (PM Modi) is in touch with me and Amit Shah. Everybody is confident of winning with absolute majority. We are 100% sure of forming the government on May 17,” Yeddyurappa tells ANI.
11.31am: Janata Dal (Secular) chief HD Deve Gowda tells ANI, “I am not prepared to accept or reject anything, let’s wait for May 15th (counting of votes ), we will get to know the reality.”
Read: Sebi, stock exchanges step up vigil on market volatility before Karnataka election results
11.15am: BJP’s state chief and chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa says there is a strong wave in favour of the party.
“BJP will win more than 125-130 seats, Congress will not be able to cross 70 seats and JDS will not cross 24-25 seats. There is a silent and strong wave in favour of BJP and public anger against Siddaramaiah and Congress,” ANI quotes Yeddyurappa as saying.
11.05am: On Sunday morning, a day after the elections, chief minister Siddaramaiah tweeted saying, “Exit opinion polls are entertainment for the next 2 days.”
