BS Yeddyurappa, former Karnataka chief minister and BJP's current chief minister candidate, said he had requested Vajubhai Vala, Karnataka governor, to allow BJP to form government in the state at the earliest.

The Karnataka assembly election results threw up an unexpected suspense on Tuesday, as the single largest party BJP as well as the Congress quickly proclaimed support to third-placed JD(S) to claim power in the state.

The governor will now have to decide whether to call BJP, the single largest winner of seats, to try to form the government or go with the JD(S)-Congress combine, which together have a clear majority in the 224-member Assembly.

"The party has chosen me. I have given the letter to the governor and he will call me, that is what I am hoping. He told me that he will take an appropriate decision. I'll inform you after I receive the letter from the governor," Yeddyurappa told the media.

In a roller-coaster ride for BJP, it initially appeared that the party was set to return to power after a five-year hiatus with a resounding majority. But as all the trends became known, it appeared the party will fall a few seats short of the 112 needed to form the government.

History seems to be repeating for Karnataka as no party has secured a clear majority. With both the BJP, which has emerged as the single largest party, and Congress formed an alliance with JD(S) the state is seeing a repeat of the political drama that unfolded in 2004.

First Published:May 16, 2018 12:39 PM IST