Karnataka poll Live: Cong-JDS set to form govt even as BJP is largest party; PM sends warning
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. BJPs 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.
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)
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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
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.
BJP to stake claim to form government in Karnataka, says state party chief BS Yeddyurappa, adding he along with Union Minister Ananth Kumar will meet Karnataka governor this evening to stake the claim.
"It is upto the understanding of the Governor who he calls to form the government. It is upto him if he wants to call the single largest party or a coalition government," Subhash Kashyap, Constitutional expert, told a news agency
"Congress & JDS has 117, we need 111 to form the govt. Since we were in power, and we lost, we have given our support for JDS led govt. BJP has 104, we are ahead of them," says Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad. Source: ANI
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Karnataka election results have set the course for a "bigger victory" for the BJP and the NDA in the 2019 general elections. He told PTI, "The wave of hope created by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now been transformed into a wave of faith and the people have expressed it through their mandate."
HD Kumaraswamy of JD(S) reportedly seeks appointment from the Governor of Karnataka today evening, writes we have accepted Congress' support to form the government.
A few minutes ago, Siddaramaiah submits his resignation to the Governor of Karnataka.
According to Election Commission (EC) figures at 3 pm, the BJP had won 57 seats and was leading in 47 constituencies, while the ruling Congress had won 29 seats and was leading in 49 constituencies.
"JD(S) had always maintained that HD Kumaraswamy will be CM. As per results, we're doing everything to keep BJP out of power. Congress has extended its support, we have accepted it. We will jointly go to meet Governor after 5.30 pm today," said Danish Ali of JD(S). Source: ANI
"We had a telephonic conversation with Deve Gowda ji & Kumaraswamy. They have accepted our offer. Hopefully, we will be together, Ghulam Nabi Azad told media persons
On Karnataka poll results, senior Congress leader Ashwani Kumar said, "I think we could not establish emotional connect with the people of Karnataka and the country. Perhaps the Lingayat decision rebounded, no one single reason is responsible for defeat of the Congress."
"We (Congress & JDS) are jointly meeting the Governor in the evening today," Congress leader KC Venugopal told media persons
"Shortly we will be knowing the final figures, then we'll decide the future plan. I don't want to talk about Congress or JD(S), said BJP's CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa, while talking to reporters.
BJP is single largest party in Karnataka, but majority mark is elusive.
"The win in Karnataka is dedicated to all party workers. I also congratulate the people of Karnataka," said UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Karnataka poll results
"Just one time, I want BJP to head into elections with ballot papers & not EVMs. All the apprehensions will go away," said Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena Chief, on his reaction to BJP's lead in Karnataka assembly poll results
On Karnataka poll result trends, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took potshots at the Congress saying it is time for the party to change its name from INC to 'Congress (PMP)' - implying the only three places where it is in power now. He tweeted: "With this #KarnatakaVerdict it's time for Congress to change its name from Indian National Congress to Congress (PMP) Congress - Punjab, Mizoram, Puducherry."
BJP now leading on 106 seats, Congress 76, JD(S)+ 38, Others 02, according to the Official EC trends on Karnataka poll results
"Congress is now opposing for the sake of it. In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, we will certainly win," said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Karnataka assembly poll result
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah invoked William Shakespeare to describe Congress party's defeat in Karnataka on his Twitter page: "Et tu Karnataka"
"Rahul bhai is a leader in the ascent. 2019 will be a different ball game. The alliances are coming with him. Sidhu unke (Rahul Gandhi) saath khada rahega, jab tak mere andar lahu hai, said Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Karnataka election outcome
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti congratulated the BJP for its "stellar performance" in Karnataka assembly elections, tweeting "Hearty congratulations to @BJP4India for their stellar performance in Karnataka."
"This is the third straight defeat of Rahul Gandhi since he became President. He declared himself the PM candidate. Now if all opposition wants to unite toh hamare liye bhi ye theek hai, ki desh ki jitni gandagi hai vo ek saath hate," Rajyavardhan Rathore, who yesterday replaced Smriti Irani as I&B Minister, told media persons
On party's debacle in Karnataka assembly polls, Congress leader Verappa Moily says Lingayat factor boomeranged
BJP leader Ram Madhav said, "the Sangha Parivar cadres have helped us enormously. In certain regions, like coastal Karnataka, Parivar has helped us a lot."
I would like to thank the people of Karnataka for this mandate. Also, credit goes to the hard work of PM Modi and Amit Shah ji, as well as state leadership, party workers and RSS cadre. BJP's southward march has begun, said BJP leader Ram Madhav
"People in Karnataka were fed up of the govt that was not paying respect to the law and order situation. "A whole lot of issues, on which for 4 years the govt did nothing and suddenly it wanted to do the dirty toxic activities to win," said Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while talking to a news channel.
"People of Karnataka want good governance, that is why they have chosen BJP. This is a big victory for the party. Congress is losing state after state & we are winning state after state," said Prakash Javadekar, BJP Karnataka in-charge. Source: ANI
"It is a historic day. With full honesty, we will take Karnataka forward on the path of development," said Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, while talking to a news channel.
"Rahul Gandhi did his best, but it is we who have lost the elections. We, the local leadership, should have encashed it in a proper way & because of which we lost it," DK Shivkumar, Karnataka Minister told media persons over the assembly election outcome.
"If Congress had gone into an alliance with the JD(S), the result would have been different. Very different," tweeted West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, who congratulated the winners of Karnataka assembly elections.
Mohan Prakash of Congress said, "I am saying it from day 1, there is no political party in India which has not raised questions on EVMs, even BJP has done it in the past. Now when all parties are doubting EVMs then what problem does BJP have in conducting polls through ballot?" Source: ANI
GT Devegowda, JD(S) candidate, who is leading over Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari seats by 17,000 votes, told ANI, "People have rejected Siddaramaiah. He lost because of his attitude, because of attacking everyone & because of his loose talk."
Trends indicate that the voters of Karnataka have opted for a decisive mandate, says Ram Madhav of BJP
Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Raman Singh, told a new agency, "This is a historic win for BJP. I want to thank all the people of Karnataka for voting for us. Ab desh mein Congress khojo abhiyan chalega, kahaan rahegi pata nahi.
BJP has leading over 112 seats, Congress at 60 seats, JDS, however, has maintained lead in 46 seats, while independents/others are merely at 2 seats, according to the latest updates.
In first result to be declared, Congress leader UT Abdul Khader has been declared winner from Mangalore constituency.
Sensex up by over 350 points at 35,928.35, while Nifty at 10919.15, as Bharatiya Janata Party leads in Karnataka
BJP takes lead on 95 seats, Congress ahead on 46, JD(S) on 37, Others 03, according to Official Election Commission Trends
CM Siddaramaiah is trailing from Chamundeshwari by over 12,000 votes, JD(S) GT Deve Gowda leading. Siddaramaiah, however, is leading in Badami by over 160 votes.
Former Union minister and senior BJP leader Sadananda Gowda has his party will get over 112 seats. He says there will be no need for JDS, party will get majority on its own.
At 9.30 am, Congress whittles down BJP lead. Now trails 87 to 82. JDS leads in 40
In Ramanagara, Deve Gowda son, JDS leader HD Kumarswamy leads rival Congress leader Iqbal Hussain
In Sandur, Congress leader E Tukaram of Congress is leading by ore than 2,000 votes
In Moodbidri, BJP leader Umanath Kotian leads by 9,000 votes
BJP races to big early lead, set to emerge largest party
BJP leads in 93, Congress in 69, JDS follows
Latest trend shows BJP now leads Congress. It is ahead in 82, Congress in 78. The JDS) is leading in 26. This is cementing forecast of a hung Karnataka assembly.
First round of counting to start later. Trends to filter in by 10.15 am.
In the final counting of postal ballots, Congress leading in 54, BJP in 47.
In his Chamundeshwari constituency, Siddaramaiah trails by over 5,000 votes
If postal ballot results hold, state will have hung assembly
In Bantwal, Congress minister B Ramanath Rai leading
Siddaramaiah son Yathindra leading in Varuna
Congress candidate leading in Udupi region
Siddaramaiah now leading in Badami
Postal vote counting begins at Shivamogga constituency.
JD(S) candidate HD Revanna ahead in Holenarasipur constituency, show early leads.
In first round of Postal vote counting, Congress leads in 17 seats. BJP behind in 4 seats and JDS surprisingly in 3. JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy leads in Ramanagaram
38 centres are witnessing counting
IF JDS does not go with BJP, one of the possible scenarios could be the coming together of the Congress and the JD(S), as had happened in 2004 when they formed the government under Congress heavyweight Dharm Singh after the state elected a hung House. If that happens, JD(S) may not agree to Siddaramaiah heading a coalition government and likely want a Dalit leader at the helm. However, at teh moment, JDS is leaning more towards the BJP.
The JD(S) has also claimed it would win a majority and that its chief ministerial candidate H D Kumaraswamy will be the "king" and not the "kingmaker".
BJP win will also galvanise the BJP cadre before the Assembly elections in party-ruled Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh later this year.
A victory for the BJP, on the other hand, will reflect the enduring charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his capacity to power his party to victory across the country, clearing demographic and topographical obstacles.
Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily has claimed that his party would get a simple majority in the southern state."If the people have voted for performance, I think the Congress should get it. I think in all probability, we will at least get a simple majority".
However, even if Congress wins, Siddaramaiah, a backward class leader with a formidable reputation, may or may not be the next chief minister as the party has not declared him the chief ministerial candidate. Dalit veterans in the party like its leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and state Congress chief G Parameshwara are being seen as possible alternatives. Their chances have risen as Siddaramaiah yesterday said he would welcome appointment of a Dalit CM by the high command.
No political party has retained power in the state since 1985, when the erstwhile Janata Dal formed the government under Ramakrishna Hegde for a second consecutive term.
No political party has retained power in the state since 1985, when the erstwhile Janata Dal formed the government under Ramakrishna Hegde for a second consecutive term.
The trends are likely to begin to trickle within an hour and all results are expected to be declared by late evening.
Karnataka election results 2018 Live: Counting of votes begins.
Counting of votes would begin at 8 am in nearly 40 counting centres.
222 of the 224 seats went to polls on May 12.
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