As exit polls predict a hung assembly following the May 10 elections in Karnataka, the counting of votes in the state has begun and results are expected on May 13.

While some exit polls predict the ruling BJP to cross the majority mark and emerge as the single largest party, others forecast the Congress to win with a comfortable majority. The JD(S) is also expected to play a crucial role in the formation of the government, according to a few exit polls.

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The India Today-Axis My India and Today's Chanakya exit polls predicted a clear win for the Congress, while the Jan ki Baat exit poll predicted 91-105 seats for the Congress, 94 to 117 seats for the BJP and 14-24 seats for the HD Kumaraswamy-led JDS. A political party needs 113 of 224 seats to cross the majority mark in the Karnataka election 2023.

Congress leaders react to exit polls

Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has proclaimed a victory for the party and said, "Congress party will get a comfortable majority... I will win comfortably in Varuna constituency."

Agreeing with the victory, Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar, however, did not believe the exit poll numbers and denied the chances of an alliance.

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Shivakumar said, "I stand by my numbers that we will cross 146 seats. People are highly educated and are looking at larger interests because the double engine has failed in Karnataka. The situation will not arise (to form an alliance with any party)."

#WATCH | My first reaction is that I don't believe these numbers (exit polls). I stand by my numbers that we will cross 146 seats. People are highly educated and are looking at larger interests because the double engine has failed in Karnataka. The situation will not arise (to… pic.twitter.com/bYRpq2Mjom

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

Congress leader Jagadish Shettar expects his party to get a clear majority and form the government. "According to exit polls, Congress is the single largest party. There is no question of coalition with any other party, especially JD(S),” he said.

#WATCH | Congress will get a clear majority and form the government. According to exit polls, Congress is the single largest party. There is no question of coalition with any other party, especially JD(S): Congress leader Jagadish Shettar#KarnatakaAssemblyElection pic.twitter.com/crw7dFdqcZ

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

Shettar defected from the BJP in the run-up to the Karnataka elections after being denied a ticket and joined the Congress.

Congress on high alert

In the runup to the results announcement, Kannada News18 has reported that all Congress leaders have been instructed to tread carefully until Saturday by party leaders DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah.

The leaders are on high alert, the report claims, and have called candidates that are likely to win. This news comes after senior officials sent a message that the next Karnataka chief minister, in the case of a Congress victory, will be chosen by the state's MLAs.

Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah are now working to attract the MLAs and will participate in a meeting with top officials Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and state in-charge Randeep Surjewala.

BJP leaders react to exit polls

On the other hand, BJP bigwig and Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai was confident of coming back to power with an absolute majority.

"Exit polls are exit polls, it can't be 100 percent correct. We are going to get a complete majority and form the government,” CM Bommai told ANI.

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He added, “Exit polls are done in a hurry, and there will be lots of errors. There is no question of anybody becoming the kingmaker, for me the people are the kingmaker and they will bring BJP back to power. Last time, they (exit polls) predicted only 80 seats for BJP and 107 for Congress but it came reverse. We're confident with our ground reports and we will come with a comfortable majority."

#WATCH | I am very much confident that we will come back to power with an absolute majority, I am 200% confident. Exit polls are done in a hurry, and there will be lots of errors. There is no question of anybody becoming the kingmaker, for me the people are the kingmaker and they… pic.twitter.com/Ldj4dCgDg3

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

Overall, the exit polls have created a lot of interest and excitement in the Karnataka Assembly Elections. However, the actual results will be announced on May 13. The polling for all 224 seats in Karnataka was held on May 10.

First Published:May 11, 2023 11:58 AM IST