Karnataka Assembly Election Result 2023 LIVE: Siddaramaiah Top Contender for CM Post, Cong May Have 3 Dy CMs, Say Sources

Karnataka is a state known for giving hung assemblies and fractured mandate. However, post 1994, only the Congress has managed to get a clear majority in the Assembly election in the state, that, too, thrice – 2023, 2013 and 1999. In 1994, the JDS had got a clear majority.

Congress – 136 seats BJP – 65 seats Janata Dal (Secular)- 19 Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha – 1 Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha – 1 Independent – 2

Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party after the thumping victory of the Congress in the Karnataka Assembly elections, AICC president M Mallikarjun Kharge said those who wanted ‘Congress Mukt Bharat’ ended up facing ‘BJP Mukt Dakshin Bharat’.

Kharge took a swipe at the BJP, saying egoistic statements will not work anymore and one should understand the sufferings of people.

BJP national general secretary and four-time Karnataka legislator C T Ravi lost the Chikmagalur seat to former party colleague H D Thammaiah, who crossed over to the Congress in February, by a margin of 5,926 votes.

Before joining the Congress, Thammaiah was Chikmagalur constituency’s district convenor of the BJP and a close aide of Ravi.

Ravi, who belongs to the Vokkaliga community, got 79,128 votes, while Thammaiah bagged 85,054 votes. JD(S) candidate B M Thimma Shetty was in the third place with 1,763 votes.

The Bajrang Dal is not afraid of ban threat in view of Congress’s victory in the Karnataka elections, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) functionary said.

“If they ban Bajrang Dal out of the hatred for Hindus, necessary steps will be taken,” VHP general secretary Milind Parande said. In Karnataka, Congress promised to ban Bajrang Dal if it comes to power.

JD(S) leader and former Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy’s son Nilkil on Saturday faced defeat in the party bastion of Ramanagaram, losing the seat to the Congress by 10,715 votes.

Nearly three decades after Ramanagaram propelled H D Deve Gowda to the post of chief minister, his grandson Nikhil Kumaraswamy tested the waters here following his disastrous electoral debut in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy said he accepts defeat and victory with equanimity and the loss in the Karnataka Assembly polls was not final for him and his party.

The former chief minister, whose party has won 19 seats in the Assembly polls, wished good luck to the new government that will be coming into existence and expressed hope that they respond to the requirements of the people.

BJP leader Ramesh Jarkiholi, who were among the Congress MLAs to switch sides in 2019 leading to the fall of the Congress-JDS government, won from his home turf of Gokak in Belagavi district with a margin of 25,412 votes.

Jarkiholi got 1,05,313 votes and his Congress rival Mahantesh Kallappa Kadadi bagged 79,901 votes.

Eight Congress turncoats who joined the BJP and helped it form the government in 2019, lost in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections, for which the results were announced on Saturday.

As many as 13 Congress and three JD(S) MLAs had resigned from the Karnataka Assembly in 2019 thus bringing down the 14-month-old coalition government of the Congress and the JD(S) led by H D Kumaraswamy.

Later, 16 of these MLAs, who were disqualified by the Speaker, joined the BJP and a majority them contested the 2019 Assembly bypolls, won the election and became Ministers in the B S Yediyurappa-led BJP government.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said BJP’s arrogance has been destroyed by the people’s mandate in Karnataka. Those who promised a Congress-free India have been ousted from the South, he added.

A meeting of the Congress Legislature Party will be held on Saturday. The party is yet to announce the name for the CM post.

Of all six regions, in Mumbai/Kittur Karnataka, Congress received a substantial boost as it reversed the tally of the last assembly elections in 2018.

In the region, the Congress is soaring with around 44 % vote share, up by almost five-six per cent and 16 seats compared to the 2018 assembly elections, while the BJP’s vote share nosedived to around 38-39% and its seats went down by 13.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Congress’ win in Karnataka assembly polls will in no way affect BJP from returning to power for the third successive term at the Centre in 2024.

There is nothing new in Congress’ win in Karnataka as it had been in power in the southern state before the 2014 general election when BJP came to power under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.

Kharge said PM Modi and more than 40 ministers and chief ministers from the BJP-ruled states campaigned for the ruling party but the people of Karnataka defeated him.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said PM Modi sought votes in Gujarat saying he is “Bhoomi Putra” but in Karnataka, he is the “Bhoomi Putra”.

BJP chief JP Nadda said that the BJP accepts the mandate of the people of Karnataka with humility. He further said that the BJP will continue to work for the betterment of the people and raise its voice by actively playing the role of constructive opposition.

Karnataka Congress In-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said Sonia Gandhi proved to be a lucky mascot for the party’s victory in the state. He said that despite health conditions, Sonia Gandhi addressed a rally (in Hubbali on May 6) and contributed to party’s campaign.

Karnataka Congress In-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said this is the victory of voters of Karnataka. The brand Karnataka has truly won, he said.

Defence Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh congratulated the Congress party on winning the assembly elections in Karnataka. He also said he is thankful to the BJP workers for their efforts and hard work.