Page 4 - Karnataka Polls

Stage set for counting of votes in Karnataka Assembly poll tomorrow

The counting of votes polled for the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls, which witnessed a fierce fight between archrivals BJP and the Congress, besides the JD(S) will be taken up on Saturday as the parties are waiting with bated breath to know their fate over the possibility of a hung assembly. The electoral fortunes of top leaders-- Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai of the BJP, Congress heavyweights Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar and JD(S)' HD Kumaraswamy, among many others will be known on Saturday. The counting will begin at 8 am in 36 centres across the state, and poll officials expect a clear picture about the outcome is likely to emerge by mid-day. Elaborate security arrangements have been made across the State, especially in and around the counting centres, to avoid any untoward incidents, official sources said. The State registered a "record" turnout of 73.19 per cent in the voting on May 10, to elect representatives to the 224 member Assembly. With most exit polls predicting

Karnataka polls: Congress asks 'leading' candidates to reach Bengaluru

The exit polls have predicted a hung Assembly but the BJP and Congress are claiming they will win a comfortable majority

Karnataka elections 2023 LIVE: Exit polls predict close BJP vs Cong fight

Voting will be held today for 224 assembly constituencies in Karnataka with 2,615 candidates in the fray

K'taka polls: Clash between Cong workers, JD(S) candidate Bava's supporters

A complaint and a counter-complaint have been lodged at the Bajpe police station here after Congress workers alleged that the supporters of Mangaluru North Janata Dal (Secular) candidate B A Mohiuddin Bava assaulted them on Tuesday night. Two Congress workers who were injured in the scuffle, Nizam and Hasher, have been admitted to a private hospital. Bava had switched over to JD(S) recently after he was denied a Congress ticket. Sources said the incident occurred when Congress workers intercepted a car alleging that the JD(S) candidate had brought money in a car to distribute to voters, which led to an altercation between the two groups. Later, both groups went to Bajpe police station where Bava's supporters allegedly assaulted Nizam and Hasher in front of the candidate. The injured Nizam used to work as Bava's car driver and had recently pledged support to Mangaluru North Congress candidate Inayat Ali. JD(S) workers, in a counter complaint, alleged that Nizam and other Congress .

Karnataka polls: Will not form alliance with JD(S), says state Cong chief

Shivakumar further appealed to the people of Karnataka to consider "inflation" in the BJP-ruled state and come out and vote

Nearly 21% vote in first four hours of polling in Karnataka Assembly polls

A voter turnout of 20.99 per cent was recorded till 11 am on Wednesday in the polls to elect representatives for the 224-member Karnataka Legislative Assembly. The highest turnout in the first four hours of polling, which began at 7 am and will go on till 6 pm, was in the coastal district of Udupi (30.26 per cent) and the lowest in Chamarajanagar district (16.77 per cent), election officials said. Karnataka is witnessing a three-cornered contest among the ruling BJP, the Congress and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular). Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, former chief minister B S Yediyurappa, IT industry veteran N R Narayana Murthy along with wife Sudha Murty, and Mysuru royal family member 'Rajamate' Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, were among the early voters who cast their ballots. Siddalinga Swamiji, seer of the Tumakuru-based Siddaganga Mutt; actor Ramesh Arvind, senior Congress leader G Parameshwara, and ministers includin

K'taka polls: 'Modi magic' will give BJP absolute majority, says Vijayendra

"Not only the Lingayat community, but all other castes are also with BJP," he added

Bommai appeals voters to contribute in 'writing future of Karnataka'

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai cast his ballot in the Assembly election on Wednesday at Shiggaon in Haveri district. Accompanied by son Bharath Bommai and other family members, he paid temple visits in the constituency before voting at a government school in Shiggaon, from where he is seeking re-election for the fourth consecutive term. The Congress has fielded Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan from the constituency, while Shashidhar Yeligar is the JD(S) candidate. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Bommai appealed to voters to exercise their franchise and thereby contribute in "writing the future of Karnataka". The election this time is about development on one side and false allegations on the other, he said and expressed confidence that people will vote the BJP in with full majority. Voting across Karnataka began at 7 am amid tight security and it will go on till 6 in the evening. The results for the 224-member Assembly will be declared on May 13.

People of Karnataka have decided to choose welfare-oriented govt: Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said the people of Karnataka have decided to choose a progressive, transparent and welfare-oriented government. He urged the people to vote in large numbers in the election. 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. "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. 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 ...

Voting begins for high-stakes Karnataka elections, 2,615 candidates in fray

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

K'taka HC permits serving free food after voting to encourage participation

BBMP had prohibited serving of free food on election day after voting as many hotels came up with the offer

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From venomous snake to 'Nalayak Beta'; public discourse during K'taka polls

Barbs like 'venomous snake', 'Vishakanya' and 'Nalayak' -- struck discordant notes as a plummeting level of campaign discourse marked electioneering in Karnataka that votes on Wednesday. Instances of leaders using intemperate and abusive language without exercising caution and restraint vitiated the campaign and election atmosphere, political observers note. The high decibel campaign for polls to the 224-member Assembly ended on Monday in the state, which is witnessing a triangular contest between the ruling BJP, the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular), headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda. On campaign trail, AICC President M Mallikarjun Kharge made the "venomous snake" remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a public meeting at Ron in Gadag district on April 27, Kharge said: "Don't make a mistake. Modi is like a venomous snake..." Kharge, who hails from Karnataka, came under sharp attack by the BJP, and Modi too raised this issue during his election ...

Stage set for high-stakes 224-member Karnataka Assembly elections tomorrow

After a high voltage campaign, it is now time for the mega battle of ballots in Karnataka, with the state all set to elect its representatives to the 224-member Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. With the stakes being high in 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. The voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm. A total of 5,31,33,054 electors are eligible to cast their votes 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. As many as 11,71,558 are young voters, while 5,71,281 are persons with disabilities (PWDs) and 12,15,920 are aged above 80. While the ruling BJP, riding on the Modi juggernaut, wants to break the 38-year jinx and retain its

Goa declares paid holiday on K'taka poll day; Oppn, industry bodies fume

The BJP government in Goa has declared May 10 as a paid holiday, which will also cover private establishments and industrial workers, in view of voting for the Assembly polls scheduled in neighbouring Karnataka. However, the Pramod Sawant government's decision has not gone down well with Opposition parties and industry bodies. Goa State Industries Association said they may have to take legal recourse against the holiday. But, a senior official from Goa Chief Minister's Office said it is a practice to give a holiday when there are elections in neighbouring states. He claimed a holiday was declared in Karnataka on the day of polling in Goa last year. The Goa government on Monday issued a notification declaring May 10 as paid holiday owing to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections. The holiday was extended to government servants and also those working in private establishments including industrial workers, it said. Goa State Industries Association president Damodar Kochkar ...

Dream of every Kannadiga is my own: PM Modi ahead of Karnataka polls

PM Modi said, "BJP government's decisive, focused and futuristic approach is contributing significantly to Karnataka's economy"

156,000 police personnel to be deputed on election duty in Karnataka

In Bengaluru 16,000 police personnel have been deputed for election duties

BJP organised 9,125 rallies, 1,377 roadshows in K'taka in an all-out effort

BJP leaders, during the campaigning, paid visit to 311 temples and mutts. The party had also organised 3,166 public campaigns and 9,077 public meetings

K'taka polls: Cong adopts new strategy as BJP bets on 'political mistakes'

Even PM Modi, while campaigning in Karnataka, alleged that the Congress was bent on carving Karnataka out of India

Bihar Cong files FIR against Karnataka BJP leader for 'threat' to Kharge

"The BJP leadership can't digest how Kharge, the son of Dalit labourer, became the national President of Congress"