‘Karnataka election is a lesson for PM Modi…’ expert says as exit poll gives edge to Congress
2 min read . Updated: 11 May 2023, 12:16 PM IST
PremiumThe outcome of this contest will influence much of the political discourse on the road to the 2024 national polls, expert says
After voting for the Karnataka election 2023 concluded on Wednesday evening, most exit-poll agencies predicted a hung House in the state while putting the Congress ahead. This would be a big blow for BJP as it would lose the only southern state that it has in its kitty.
Experts are of the opinion that winning Karnataka would be the key to building a good head of steam ahead of the bigger battle in 2024 and going into the next general elections full of belief and conviction. While losing Karnataka would dent the BJP's claim of being a pan-India party, it would give the much need shot in the arm to the Congress as it eyes a revival in 2024 after a string of electoral reverses.
Helpful lesson for PM Modi: Expert
Nalin Mehta, a political scientist and the author of a new book about the BJP, said the state elections are a “high-stakes prestige contest" for both parties.
Karnataka will ultimately offer helpful lessons to Modi about what works with voters, Mehta said, as quoted by Bloomberg. “The outcome of this contest will influence much of the political discourse on the road to the 2024 national polls."
Karnataka sends as many as 28 members to the Lok Sabha, second only to Tamil Nadu at 39, and, losing the state would come as a setback for the BJP and its plans to extend its electoral footprint beyond Karnataka.
“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.
Ahead of the Karnataka elections, PM Modi has extensively campaigned in the state participating in several road shows and public rallies.
Karnataka assembly poll results on Saturday
The voting in Karnataka Assembly election 2023 was held on Wednesday and the result for the three-cornered contest between the ruling BJP, the Congress and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda's JD(S)will be announced on Saturday, 13 May.
It is should be noted here, exit polls are not always accurate and have often got the verdict wrong in earlier elections, especially in states with diverse populations, castes and communities. But they are useful in identifying trends.
(With inputs from agencies)