E-Paper
Counting begins in K'taka
Counting of votes for 28 LS and 224 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka began in 42 centres at 8 am.
Counting of votes for 28 Lok Sabha and 224 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka began in 42 centres at 8 am amid tight security.
The prospects of 1887 candidates stored in about 80,000-odd EVMs would be known on Thursday.
A total of 172 aspirants including former prime minister HD Devegowda, former chief ministers -- M Veerappa Moily and S Bangarappa -- are testing their electoral luck in Parliamentary polls in a direct fight between the ruling Congress and BJP in 28 constituencies.
In the triangular contest between Congress, BJP and JDS for the 224 assembly seats, 1715 candidates are in fray including Chief Minister SM Krishna (Chamarajpet), his ministerial colleagues, state unit JDS president Siddaramaiah, senior BJP leaders, BS Yediyurappa and KS Eswarappa.
The first result is expected by 900 am including from Chamarajpet where Krishna, who shifted his constituency from Maddur, is locked in a triangular fight.
The ruling Congress is facing a litmus test at the hands of voters to get a renewed mandate, while BJP is making all out effort to install its first ever government in the South and JDS to regain its lost glory.
