Karnataka election results 2018: BJP seen cruising to majority on its own

A clear mandate will eliminate the much-speculated role of the JD(S) as the kingmaker and put paid to the theories of a coalition government and the larger ramifications for central politics in Delhi

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is cruising towards a comfortable majority on its own, the trends so far suggest, opening what BJP President Amit Shah stressed was its gateway to the South. A clear verdict from Bengaluru has implications for the BJP's future prospects in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala. The mandate would eliminate the much-speculated role of the Janata Dal (Secular) as the kingmaker and put paid to the theories of a coalition government and the larger ramifications for central politics in Delhi.

The trends so far seem to establish Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s position as