Karnataka election latest updates: Five exit polls have predicted the BJP to nudge ahead of the Congress while four have given the nod to the Congress.
Karnataka recorded a turnout of 64% till 5pm while the final count is yet to come. Voting for the fiercely fought polls began at 7 am and continued on a moderate to brisk note.
Early in the day, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called BJP’s CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa “mentally-disturbed" when asked about the latter’s declaration that he would take oath on May 17, two days after the counting of votes.
Polling is being held for 222 seats in the 224-seat Assembly as the Election Commission deferred polling in RR Nagar due to alleged voter bribery and in Jayanagara following the death of BJP candidate and sitting MLA BN Vijaykumar.
As voting picks up, reports are also pouring in of high-handed behaviour by netas. In Chamundeshwari, a seat Siddaramaiah is contesting from, the wife of JD(S) candidate GT Deve Gowda reportedly asked polling officials to shift an EVM for “better vastu”.
In Hebbala, BJP’s Narayanaswamy allegedly abused polling staff after one of his supporters was arrested for stalling voting. BJP’s Sriramulu, who is contesting in Badami against Siddaramaiah performed a ‘gau puja’ before voting.
The ruling Congress and the BJP are the main contenders for power, while former prime minister HD Deve Gowda's JD(S) is likely to play the kingmaker, according to most surveys and opinion polls. Counting of votes will be held on May 15.
ABP Voter Exit Polls: BJP: 97-109, Congress: 87–99, JDS: 21-30, Others: 1- 8
Newsx-CNX Exit Polls: BJP: 102-106, Congress: 72-75, JDS: 35-38, Others: 3-6
Aajtak Exit Polls: BJP: 72-76, Congress: 106-118, JDS: 25-30, Others: 4-8
News Nation exit polls: BJP: 105-109, Congress: 71-75, JDS: 36-40, Others: 3-5
Dugvijay News Exit Polls: BJP: 103-107, Congress: 76-80, JDS: 31-35, Others: 04-08
Local Kannada channel, Suvarna's exit poll: Cong: 106 to 118; BJP: 79-92; JDS: 22-30; Others: 1-4
Republic TV-Jan ki Baat, on the other hand, gives BJP an edge over Congress and has predicted 95-114 seats for the Bharatiya Janata Party and 73-82 seats for Congress. JD(S): 32-43.
India Today, Axis Exit Polls predict around 106-118 seats for Congress, 79-92 seats for BJP and 22-30 seats for JD(S).
Times Now-VMR exit polls give an edge to Congress with an estimated 90-103 seats. It has predicted 80-93 seats for BJP and 31-39 for JD(S).
NDTV exit polls give an edge to BJP will get 97 seats and the Congress 90 seats -- considerably below the 112 needed for majority for the 222 seats on which elections were held today. It gives 31 seats to the JD(S).
Times Now-Today's Chanakya exit poll for Karnataka is out: The Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to win 120 seats, Congress 73, Janata Dal (Secular) 26, Others 3. Earlier, the 'Poll of the Polls' predicted Bharatiya Janata Party grabbing 100 seats, Congress - 88, Janata Dal (Secular) - 32, Others - 2
