Karnataka poll Live: Cong-JDS set to form govt even as BJP is largest party; PM sends warning
As the Karnataka Assembly election results fail to give a simple majority to BJP, the Congress party quickly proclaimed support to third-placed JD(S) to keep the saffron party out of power. Now, all eyes are on Governor Vajubhai Vala, who will have to decide whether to call the single largest BJP to try to form the government or go with the JD(S)-Congress combine, having a clear majority in the 224-member Assembly.
Both sides rushed to meet Governor, and staked claim to power.
Initially, it appeared that the BJP was set to return to power after a five-year hiatus, but when all the trends became known, it appeared that the party will fall a few seats short of the 112 needed to form the government. BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa, however, accused Congress of trying to win power unfairly. He said he would stake claim to form the government.
Meanwhile, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi reportedly spoke to JD(S) leader Deve Gowda, and offered the chief minister's post to the JD(S). Confirming to the development, senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "We had a telephonic conversation with Deve Gowda ji & Kumaraswamy. They have accepted our offer. Hopefully, we will be together."
"We have all together discussed and decided this.... This is the opinion of the All India Congress party. Congress will support JD(S) because there is a hung Assembly situation here as no party has been given clear majority by the people," outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters. Siddaramaiah, who handed over his resignation to Vala, said: "In a democracy we will have to accept people's verdict, we have accepted it. Our decision is to support JD(S). It is our unanimous decision."
Soon after Congress declared its support to JD(S), Kumaraswamy wrote to the governor informing him that he had accepted the offer to be the chief minister. "This is to submit to your good self that I have accepted the support extended by the Indian National Congress (I) party for forming the government. In this regard, I seek your appointment today evening between 5.30 pm to 6.00 pm," Kumaraswamy said in the letter released to the media.
According to the latest results declared by the Election Commission, Congress has won 74 seats and is leading in four, and JD(S) has won 37. If Congress wins the remaining four, the combine will have 115 seats. BJP has won 97 and is leading in seven other seats, for a total of 104. Mayawati's BSP, a JD(S) ally, and KPJP have won one seat each.
(With Agency Inputs)
As the Karnataka Assembly election results fail to give a simple majority to BJP, the Congress party quickly proclaimed support to third-placed JD(S) to keep the saffron party out of power. Now, all eyes are on Governor Vajubhai Vala, who will have to decide whether to call the single largest BJP to try to form the government or go with the JD(S)-Congress combine, having a clear majority in the 224-member Assembly.
Both sides rushed to meet Governor, and staked claim to power.
Initially, it appeared that the BJP was set to return to power after a five-year hiatus, but when all the trends became known, it appeared that the party will fall a few seats short of the 112 needed to form the government. BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa, however, accused Congress of trying to win power unfairly. He said he would stake claim to form the government.
Meanwhile, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi reportedly spoke to JD(S) leader Deve Gowda, and offered the chief minister's post to the JD(S). Confirming to the development, senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "We had a telephonic conversation with Deve Gowda ji & Kumaraswamy. They have accepted our offer. Hopefully, we will be together."
"We have all together discussed and decided this.... This is the opinion of the All India Congress party. Congress will support JD(S) because there is a hung Assembly situation here as no party has been given clear majority by the people," outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters. Siddaramaiah, who handed over his resignation to Vala, said: "In a democracy we will have to accept people's verdict, we have accepted it. Our decision is to support JD(S). It is our unanimous decision."
Soon after Congress declared its support to JD(S), Kumaraswamy wrote to the governor informing him that he had accepted the offer to be the chief minister. "This is to submit to your good self that I have accepted the support extended by the Indian National Congress (I) party for forming the government. In this regard, I seek your appointment today evening between 5.30 pm to 6.00 pm," Kumaraswamy said in the letter released to the media.
According to the latest results declared by the Election Commission, Congress has won 74 seats and is leading in four, and JD(S) has won 37. If Congress wins the remaining four, the combine will have 115 seats. BJP has won 97 and is leading in seven other seats, for a total of 104. Mayawati's BSP, a JD(S) ally, and KPJP have won one seat each.
(With Agency Inputs)
Latest Updates
BJP will not allow Karnataka's development journey to be trampled upon, warns PM Narendra Modi
PM Narendra Modi says, "They say BJP is a party of Hindi speaking states. Are Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra states in North East Hindi speaking states? No, BJP represents India. There was no barrier between people of Karnataka & me. I'll always cherish the affection I received from them."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses party workers at the BJP HQ, saying "I am happy about Karnataka's victory, but I am saddened by the loss of lives in Varanasi. I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased & assure that the government will do whatever it can to support these families."
Launching a scathing attack on Congress, Amit Shah said, "In 2019, we will not only form the govt under the leadership of Modi Ji, but also form a New India in 2022."
In his addresses to the party workers, BJP President Amit Shah said, "This is the 15th election. BJP has already won the last 14 elections. This is the 15th consecutive election where BJP is going to win."
BJP President Amit Shah welcomes PM Narendra Modi at BJP Headquarters in Delhi
BJP President Amit Shah arrives for Parliamentary Board meeting at BJP headquarters
"I thank my sisters and brothers of Karnataka for steadfastly supporting the BJP’s development agenda and making BJP the single largest party in the state," said PM Narendra Modi on twitter
"I thank my sisters and brothers of Karnataka for steadfastly supporting the BJP’s development agenda and making BJP the single largest party in the state," said PM Narendra Modi on twitter
'I thank my sisters and brothers of Karnataka for steadfastly supporting the BJP’s development agenda and making BJP the single largest party in the state', says PM Modi #ModiUnbeatable pic.twitter.com/KHpHU4WhuW
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) May 15, 2018
BJP Parliamentary Board is reportedly meeting at 7 pm at party headquarters in Delhi today
"JD(S) & Congress have enough numbers to form the government. BJP cannot form the government without the numbers," M Veerappa Moily of Congress told reporters.
JD(S) legislative party meeting reportedly called at 6:15 pm today in Bengaluru.
HD Kumaraswamy of JD(S) arrives at Raj Bhawan to meet Karnataka Governor in Bengaluru.
"Just now we met Governor because we are single largest party, and that he allows us to prove majority in the Assembly," BS Yeddyurappa told media persons, after meeting the Governor
According to Election Commission (EC) figures at 4.30 pm, the BJP had won 81 seats and was leading in 23 segments to emerge as the single largest party in Karnataka, while the ruling Congress could win 50 seats and was leading in 28 constituencies.