Karnataka Assembly Election Results: After a month-long fierce electoral contest between the BJP, Congress, and JD(S), the counting of votes for the 224-member Karnataka assembly is being held today. The results will seal the fate of several heavyweights, including chief minister Basavaraj Bommai of the BJP, Congress stalwarts Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, and JD(S)’s HD Kumaraswamy. Today’s results will be crucial for both the ruling BJP, the opposition Congress and the regional outfit JD(S). For BJP, a victory in the state will affirm its electoral dominance across the country and ensure that it maintains its presence in southern India, where it is trying to expand its footprint aggressively. On the other hand, the Congress is seeking a much-needed revival ahead of key electoral contests lined up later this year and the ultimate Lok Sabha battle in 2024. Meanwhile, the JD(S) is fighting to maintain its relevance in Karnataka since it is losing its support base to both Congress and BJP. As per the latest trends, Congress is comfortably ahead of the BJP and has crossed the halfway mark of 112.
Most exit polls predict a hung assembly. A majority of the exit polls released on May 10 have predicted a fractured mandate in Karnataka. Most of them have given a clear edge to the Congress and a few have also predicted a majority for the grand old party. If the prediction of a hung assembly holds true, then we may see the three parties jostling to stitch a post-poll alliance like in 2018. A clearer picture should emerge later in the day.