In Karnataka, BJP President Amit Shah campaigned in Bagalkote today for the forthcoming assembly elections.

Speaking at a public rally in Ilkal, he said Congress-free Karnataka will come true on May 15th, when results of the polls are announced. He accused Siddaramaiah-Government of murder of BJP and RSS workers in the state.

Amit Shah asked the electorate to elect party’s Chief Minister candidate B S Yeddyurappa to make Karnataka number one in the country. The BJP President's campaign reached Vijayapura this afternoon, where he led a road show.

On the other hand, campaigning in Belagavi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed confidence of winning from both Chamundeshwari and Badami assembly constituencies.

Speaking to media persons, he said, IT raids on Congress leaders and their sympathisers are politically motivated. He accused Yeddyurappa of being most corrupt Chief Minister during the BJP-rule in the state. Later speaking at a public rally, Siddaramaiah asked people to vote for Congress to carry forward the welfare programmes started by his Government.

In interesting statistics released by the State Electoral Office, the number of candidates contesting the assembly elections has come down as compared to the previous assembly election in 2013.

There were 2,948 candidates in fray during the previous assembly election which has come down to 2,655 candidates this time. But female candidates in fray have gone up from 170 in the previous election to 219 this time.