10 May 2023, 08:41:52 AM IST

Karnataka polls 2023: First vote and then say this is good or bad, Narayana Murthy said

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy casts his vote in Bengaluru early this morning, he said later, "First, we vote and then we can say this is good, this is not good but if we don't do that then we don't have the right to criticise."

10 May 2023, 08:34:41 AM IST

Voting is a sacred part of democracy: Sudha Murty casts her vote

Sudha Murty on Wednesday cast her vote and later left a message for young voters "Please look at us. We are oldies but we get up at 6 o'clock, come here and vote. Please learn from us. Voting is a sacred part of democracy..."

10 May 2023, 08:25:15 AM IST

Modi's magic will give us absolute majority: BY Vijayendra

BJP leader BY Vijayendra, son of former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa, said, "This is my first election and I am happy that the party gave me the opportunity to contest. I'm blessed to contest from the Shikaripura seat. People are fed up with hung assembly and I am confident that BJP will get majority."

"Modi's magic will give us absolute majority. We will win at least 130 seats in this election. Not only Lingayat community, but all other castes are also with BJP. Congress will lose the election very badly."

In his support, BS Yediyurappa said,“BY Vijayendra is going to get more than 40,000 votes here. We will get the absolute majority and will form the govt, there is no doubt about it. People's response is very good."

10 May 2023, 08:18:26 AM IST

Cast your vote as early as possible, BS Yediyurappa said

Former Karnataka CM and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa said, “I request all people to cast their votes as early as possible. I am 100% sure they will vote in favour of the BJP. More than 75-80% will support BJP. We will win 130-135 seat."

10 May 2023, 08:15:33 AM IST

It is time to vote in large numbers: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has called on the people of Karnataka to vote for a progressive, transparent and welfare-oriented government in the ongoing Assembly elections.

"People of Karnataka have decided that they shall choose a progressive, transparent & welfare-oriented government," Kharge said in a tweet.

Today, it is time to vote in large numbers, he said.

"We welcome our first time voters to participate in this democratic process for a better future," the Congress chief said.

10 May 2023, 08:12:26 AM IST

Karnataka polls 2023: CM Basavaraj Bommai offered prayers at a Hanuman temple

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai offered prayers at a Hanuman temple in Hubbali as voting continues across the state. He is contesting as a BJP candidate from Shiggaon assembly constituency.

10 May 2023, 08:06:23 AM IST

Karnataka polls 2023: ‘Losing the elections will cost PM Modi…,’ experts says

As India’s election season picks up steam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned his attention to a crucial bellwether state, where the nation’s two largest political parties are squaring off to win over 52 million voters.

Local polls on Wednesday in Karnataka, one of India’s wealthiest states, are a key test for Modi’s popularity among swing voters — and his resilience ahead of national elections next year.

“A loss in Karnataka would cost the prime minister given his personal involvement in the campaign," said Gilles Verniers, a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, a think tank in New Delhi. (Read here)

10 May 2023, 08:03:51 AM IST

Vote for the development of Karnataka, CM Basavaraj Bommai

"I am very happy with the way our party conducted the campaign and the way people have reacted. I appeal to people to come and vote for the development of Karnataka," said Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai

10 May 2023, 08:01:06 AM IST

Karnataka Elections 2023: K Sudhakar casts his vote

Karnataka Minister and BJP leader K Sudhakar casts his vote for Karnataka Elections 2023, at a polling booth in Chikkaballapur

10 May 2023, 07:57:22 AM IST

Vote wisely: Congress urges Karnataka voters

The Congress party took to Twitter to urge voters to come out and vote in large numbers. It said, your vote is your voice, and it matters now more than ever.

In another tweet, it said, “Vote wisely"

10 May 2023, 07:53:15 AM IST

Karnataka elections 2023: BJP president JP Nadda urges all to ‘participate in the festival of democracy’

Urging all to vote, BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda said, I appeal to the voters of Karnataka to participate in the festival of democracy in large numbers.

This election is crucial in deciding the future of Karnataka. I request everyone to bring to power a government that will provide continuity to the progress of the state and is committed to fulfilling the aspirations of the people.

10 May 2023, 07:47:36 AM IST

Karnataka polls 2023: Nirmala Sitharaman casts her vote

Union Finance Minister & BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at a polling booth in Bengaluru to cast her vote.

10 May 2023, 07:43:42 AM IST

Karnataka polls 2023: Check list of top canditates

CM Bommai (Shiggaon), Leader of Opposition and former CM Siddaramaiah (Varuna), JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy (Channapatna), Shivakumar (Kanakapura) are the among the top candidates in the fray.

Besides Siddaramaiah and Kumaraswamy, Jagadish Shettar (Hubli-Dharwad Central) is the other former Chief Minister who is contesting this election.

Shettar had recently joined the Congress, quitting BJP. "A

10 May 2023, 07:40:51 AM IST

BJP has been a people's party: Karnataka minister CN Ashwathnarayan

Karnataka minister and BJP candidate from Malleshwaram constituency, CN Ashwathnarayan says, "...BJP has been a people's party and it represents all sections. In the background of globalisation, we need to have a party which is strong enough to represent the people across the globe..."

10 May 2023, 07:37:04 AM IST

‘Vote in large numbers,’ PM Modi urges

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for high voter turnout in Karnataka elections as BJP seeks to hold onto power against Congress and JD(S).

Urging the people of Karnataka, particularly young and first-time voters to vote in large numbers and enrich the festival of democracy, PM Modi

10 May 2023, 07:34:26 AM IST

Karnataka elections 2023: Elaborate security arrangements have been made, poll officials said

Voting for the high stakes Assembly elections in Karnataka began early on Wednesday, in a state where the ruling BJP is eyeing to script history by retaining its southern citadel while a combative Congress eyes a comeback ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Polling is being held for 224 seats in what is being seen mainly as a three-cornered contest between the ruling BJP, the Congress and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular).

The electoral fate of top guns--Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Congress veterans Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy among others will be sealed during the day-long exercise. Counting of polled votes will be taken up on May 13.

The voting that began at 7 am amid tight security will go on till 6 in the evening. A total of 5,31,33,054 electors are eligible to cast their vote in 58,545 polling stations across the state, where 2,615 candidates are in the fray. Among the electors, 2,67,28,053 are male, 2,64,00,074 female and 4,927 "others", while among the candidates 2,430 are male, 184 female and one from third gender.

While the ruling BJP, riding on the Modi juggernaut, wants to break the 38-year jinx -- the State has never voted the incumbent party to power since 1985 -- and tighten the grip on its southern stronghold, the Congress is seeking to wrest power to give the party the much-needed elbow room and momentum to position itself as the main opposition player in the 2024 parliamentary polls.

Also what needs to be seen is, whether the JD (S) will emerge as a "kingmaker" or a "king" by holding the key for government formation, in the event of a hung verdict, as it has done in the past. A total of 75,603 Ballot Units (BU), 70,300 Control Units (CU) and 76,202 voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) are slated to be used during the voting.

According to poll officials, elaborate security arrangements have been made across the state for the smooth conduct of elections and forces have been deployed from neighbouring states as well.

As many as 84,119 State Police Officers and 58,500 CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces ) police in 650 CoYs (companies) are on law & order and security duty on poll day across the state. 'Critical Polling Stations' are covered by one or more of the measures like Micro Observers, Webcasting and CCTVs to keep a watch on the polling process as force multipliers.

The voter turnout in the 2018 polls was 72.36 per cent. In a bid to check apathy among voters, the Election Commission has come up with the idea of holding the poll in the middle of the week to prevent people planning an outing by clubbing the poll-day holiday with the weekend break.

10 May 2023, 07:29:02 AM IST

Karnataka polls 2023: BS Yediyurappa urges all to vote

I request all the voters of the country, especially the youth and women who are voting for the first time, to vote without fail and participate in this celebration of democracy. I hereby request everyone to cast their votes without fail for the bright future of the country and all-round development.

10 May 2023, 07:24:10 AM IST

Karnataka polls 2023: BS Yediyurappa offers prayers at Sri Huccharaya Swami Temple. Watch

Former Karnataka CM and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa visits and offers prayers at Sri Huccharaya Swami Temple in Shikaripur, along with his family.

10 May 2023, 07:14:34 AM IST

Karnataka polls 2023: Actor Prakash Raj arrives at polling booth to cast his vote

Actor Prakash Raj arrives at polling booth in St. Joseph's School in Shanti Nagar, Bengaluru to cast his vote

10 May 2023, 07:00:10 AM IST

Karnataka polls 2023: Amit Shah urges voters to vote for BJP

Union Home Minister Amit Shah urges people in Karnataka to come out in large numbers to vote for "good governance, development and prosperity in the state".

10 May 2023, 06:52:34 AM IST

Karnataka election 2023: Vote timings, key constituencies, other details

Curtains came down on the high decibel campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly polls Monday evening, setting the stage for the mega ballot battle on May 10.

With the stakes being high this election, the major political parties in contention -- the BJP, Congress, and JD(S) -- and their candidates have made a strong pitch seeking to boost their prospects at the hustings. (Read here)

10 May 2023, 06:44:22 AM IST

A loss in Karnataka polls would cost the PM highly: Think tank

As India’s election season picks up steam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned his attention to a crucial bellwether state, where the nation’s two largest political parties are squaring off to win over 52 million voters.

Local polls on Wednesday in Karnataka, one of India’s wealthiest states, are a key test for Modi’s popularity among swing voters — and his resilience ahead of national elections next year. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is pounding the pavement to drum up support for the prime minister and his policies.

“A loss in Karnataka would cost the prime minister given his personal involvement in the campaign," said Gilles Verniers, a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, a think tank in New Delhi.

10 May 2023, 06:29:32 AM IST

Karnataka elections 2023: Mock poll begins ahead of voting

Mock poll begins ahead of voting for the Assembly polls.

10 May 2023, 06:21:32 AM IST

Karnataka polls: Rains predicted across the state, ‘yellow alert’ issued

India Meteorological Department (IMD) said scattered to fairly widespread rains of light to moderate intensity, along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds, are very likely across Karnataka on Wednesday, May 10.

Furthermore, heavy rainfall (64.5 mm-115.5 mm) may also lash isolated locations across South Interior Karnataka on Election Day, a report by The Weather Channel cited

Within the southern subdivision, the districts of Shimoga, Hassan, Kodagu and Chikmagalur have been placed on a yellow watch for the day due to the likelihood of heavy precipitation. The advisory urges the residents to ‘be aware’ of the local weather situation, especially when heading outdoors.

10 May 2023, 06:17:15 AM IST

Karnataka elections 2023: Congress made 5 major promises in its manifesto

The Congress party offers five guarantees in the Karnataka elections, promising benefits of ₹1,00,000 annually to every family.

The party aims to reduce high prices, provide employment opportunities for the youth, empower women and improve living standards for the poor.

The manifesto reflects region-specific promises, and our track record shows that 90% of the last election's promises were fulfilled. And now, five guarantees will be implemented in the first cabinet meeting.

10 May 2023, 06:05:34 AM IST

Karnataka polls: Goa government is sending people into northern Karnataka by buses, Pawan Khera alleges

Pawan Khera alleges the Goa government is sending people into northern Karnataka by buses. He took to Twitter to say, Why is Goa BJP Govt sending people from Goa by Kadamba Transport Corporation Buses to Northern Karnataka tonight? Last week too for PM’s rally, people were ferried in over a 100 buses from Goa ⁦

10 May 2023, 06:02:58 AM IST

Karnataka elections: Preparations are underway at polling booths

Preparations are underway at polling booths in Karnataka

10 May 2023, 05:56:58 AM IST

Mallikarjun Kharge urges Karnataka to vote for Congress. Watch

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge urges Karnataka voters to vote for the grand old party.

In a video message, he said, Greetings to the voters of Karnataka State. As a son of your house in Karnataka, I request you to bless the Congress party by voting for the handprint of the Congress party on May 10th.

10 May 2023, 05:48:53 AM IST

High-voltage campaigning for Karnataka assembly polls ended on Monday 5pm

Karnataka's assembly elections saw 19 public meetings and six roadshows by various leaders including PM Modi, and Rahul Gandhi camped in the state for 12 days during the high-voltage campaign.

The campaigning ended on Monday at 5pm

10 May 2023, 05:33:16 AM IST

Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023: Check out these key candidates, major constituencies

After the high-voltage election campaigning in Karnataka, people are all set to vote for assembly elections on Wednesday.

All three major political parties in the state -- BJP, Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular (JDS)-- have put in efforts to woo voters, making promises and levelling accusations at each other to secure a majority in the state's 224-seat Assembly.

The majority mark to form the government is 113 seats.

The Lingayat and Vokkaliga voters will play a major factor in the elections. Lingayats comprise 17 per cent of the population and Vokkaligas 11 per cent.

Some of the key constituencies which will make a major mark in the polls are Varuna, Kanakapura, Shiggaon, Hubli-Darwad, Channapatna, Shikaripura, Chittapur, Ramanagara, and Chikmagalur. Read here

10 May 2023, 05:28:19 AM IST

Karnataka Elections 2023 Live: BJP govt will return to power, says CM Bommai

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said that the BJP government will return to power with an absolute majority in the upcoming Assembly elections

Talking to ANI, CM Bommai said, "The door-to-door campaign has brought him happiness. The people are hosting the election like a festival. The voters are literate and intelligent."

10 May 2023, 05:24:56 AM IST

Karnataka Elections 2023 Live: Key seats to watch out for