New Delhi, May 13 : In a development reminiscent of the 2013 Vidhan Sabha polls, the Congress party is currently leading the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Karnataka elections. With the Congress holding the edge in 120 seats out of the available 224 leads, it appears to be on track to form the government either independently or with minimal external support.
Prominent figures currently in the lead include Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai of the BJP from Shiggaon, NA Haris of the Congress from Shantinagar, and DK Shivakumar of the Congress from Kanakpura, surpassing BJP’s R Ashoka in the same constituency.
However, there are surprising turn of events as HD Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal (S) is trailing in Channapatna. Additionally, CT Ravi of the BJP is also trailing in Chikmagalur, while former CM Jagdish Shettar, now associated with the Congress, is behind in Hubbali. Priyank Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikaarjun Kharge, is trailing in Chittapur. Notably, GS Reddy of the BJP is trailing in Ballari City, whereas GT Devegowda of the JDS is leading in Chamundeshwari. B Nagendra of the Congress is leading in Ballari, while B Sriramulu of the BJP is trailing in the same constituency. Laxman Savadi of the Congress is ahead in Athani, while BY Vijayendra of the BJP leads in Shikarpura.
Analyst Dharmasenan comments, “This somewhat reflects the 2013 Vidhan Sabha elections of Karnataka. Exit polls, like this time, predicted a Congress victory, and it seems to be coming true. In the previous election, Congress won 122 seats in the 224-member assembly, while BJP and Janata Dal (S) secured 40 seats each.”
Senior journalist Vijay Grover from Bengaluru adds, “If Congress manages to maintain its lead above the magic figure of 113, it could render Kumaraswamy, who is already trailing, irrelevant in state politics. Additionally, there will be uncertainty surrounding the leadership of the JDS.” Political experts attuned to the ground sentiment note that many prominent figures are losing the trust of voters, as indicated by the significant number of big names trailing in the election results.
