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| Edited By: |Source: PTI |Updated: May 15, 2018, 09:41 PM IST
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah on Tuesday congratulated the people of Karnataka for making BJP as the single largest party in the state.
He also claimed that Karnataka election will be BJP's 15th consecutive election win.
"I want to congratulate people of Karnataka for giving us support. We have emerged as the single largest party. This is the 15th election. BJP has already won the last 14 elections. This is the 15th consecutive election where BJP is going to win," Shah said while addressing party workers at BJP Headquarters here.
The Congress got lesser seats than the BJP though its vote share was nearly two percentage points higher than that garnered by the saffron party in the bitterly fought Karnataka Assembly polls, according to election commission data.
At the end of counting of votes for 219 of the 224 constituencies today, the BJP emerged as the single largest party bagging 101 seats and was leading in three with a vote share of 36.2 per cent while the Congress came second with a tally of 78 seats accounting for 38 per cent of the votes.
Polling for R R Nagar seat was deferred on account of alleged electoral malpractices while it was countermanded in Jayanagar seat following the death of the BJP candidate.
Karnataka recorded the highest voter turnout at 72.13 per cent since the 1952 assembly elections.
According to the official data, the Congress' vote share rose marginally to 38 per cent in the current polls from 36.6 per cent in 2013 but had to be satisfied with lesser seats. The ruling party had a strength of 122 MLAs in the outgoing house. Its vote share was 35.13 per cent in 2008.
On the other hand, BJP's vote share remained marginally lower than that of Congress but at 36.2 per cent it recorded the highest so far and also managed to bag more seats but will fall short of 9 seats for a comfortable majority in a House of 224. The BJP had 40 seats in the outgoing house.
BJP's previous highest in vote share was 33.86 per cent in 2008, when B S Yeddyurappa rode to power by winning 110 seats to usher in the first saffron government in the south. But the party failed to retain power in 2013 as it could manage only 40 seats with its vote share dropping drastically to 19.9 per cent because of two splits in the party.
The two splinter parties - B S Yeddyurappa's Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) and B Sriramulu's BSR Congress Party (BSRCP) -- cut into BJP's share in 2013. KJP and BSRCP had got 9.8 per cent and 2.7 per cent vote share, respectively.
JD(S)' vote share declined to 18.4 per cent this year from 20.2 per cent in 2013 and 19.44 per cent in 2008 and is in the hunt for power after stitching a dramatic post-poll alliance with rival Congress.The party headed by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda got 3 seats less than the 40 it obtained in the previous polls.
Renowned psephologist Yogendra Yadav said there is "nothing new" in the vote share pattern and the link with the seats won by the rival parties.
"There is nothing new here. This is exactly what happened in 2008 as well. Congress' votes are more or less evenly spread throughout the state.
"BJP votes are concentrated in few pockets. Although the average vote share of BJP is lower than the Congress, but where BJP and Congress is in competition, BJP's average is much higher than the Congress," Yadav told PTI.
Yadav also claimed there is no big wave in favour of BJP.
"There is no popular mandate in favour of BJP. But there is a popular mandate against Congress. People have rejected Congress but not selected BJP. That is because both political parties have not raised any of the key issues affecting the people of Karnataka, be it farmers issues, unemployment and wide spread corruption. This has lead to strange fractured verdict." Yadav also said the vote share of the JD(S) showed its popularity has not gone up as its votes are concentrated in a small pocket of old Mysuru region.
BJP got 104 seats by dividing secular votes, says Kumaraswamy
BJP has appointed JP Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan as central observers for Karnataka. They will be talking with newly chosen MLAs about the next step to be taken.
► There is one more thing I want to talk about...the scenes from the Panchayat Elections in West Bengal. It was nothing but a murder of democracy. From the nomination stage to the day of polling, where was the spirit of democracy? People were bullied
► People were disallowed to file nominations also. It is not only BJP people who suffered. People from all the leading parties except the one that rules Bengal suffered. This is serious. A land as great as West Bengal has to see such sights, it is unfortunate
► It is not about who wins polls....all those who are democratic minded, including friends in civil society, they must come together to strengthen democratic spirit. We cannot see things only in partisan terms
► The people of Karnataka have shown me so much of love, says PM Modi
► There was no barrier between the people of Karnataka and me. I will always cherish the affection I received from the people of Karnataka
► There is no doubt taht the Congress focuses on its selfish agendas and hurts the nation
► I want to thank the party Karyakartas. They have worked so hard in the elections. Our national president worked so hard. If one wants to know how an ideal Karyakarta works, one does not need to look anywhere else, look at our National President
PM Narendra Modi begins speech at BJP HQ in Delhi
► The BJP continues its winning ways
► Addresses the tragedy in Varanasi where an under-construction flyover collapsed and killed at least 17 people
► On one side we have victory, and on the other we have such a tragedy, says PM Modi
► For the longest time, people thought BJP was a north Indian party, but Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and the northeast aren't Hindi speaking. There is a perception that it's a north Indian. Today, the people have Karnataka have proved that the BJP is a party for India and for the people of India, says PM Modi
Congress has played dirty politics in this election: Amit Shah
The election is proof that the people of Karnataka believe in democracy
In 2019 we will not only form the govt under the leadership of Modi Ji but also form a New India in 2022
Amit Shah address party workers
► I congratulate each & every Karyakarta of Karnataka BJP unit and B S Yeddyurappa ji for their relentless efforts. Like rest of the nation, the great land of Karnataka has shown their unwavering trust in PM Narendra Modi’s clean, transparent and pro-development governance.
► Would like to thank the people of Karnataka for achieving the dream of a Congress mukt Bharat
► This is the 15th election. BJP has already won the last 14 elections. This is the 15th consecutive election where BJP is going to win
BJP President Amit Shah welcomes PM Narendra Modi at BJP Headquarters in Delhi pic.twitter.com/TF3GuZFs0d
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
PM Shri @narendramodi arrives at BJP HQ. Watch LIVE at https://t.co/LUXQbdXjtE pic.twitter.com/0SlDQcV4ZC
— BJP (@BJP4India) May 15, 2018
Randeep Surjewala speaks to the media
BJP is nowhere close to majority in Karnataka
As Congress-JD(S) win 95 seats & lead in 20 seats, absolute majority for the coalition is clear. Coalition also has 56% vote share. Coalition leaders meeting the Governor shortly to stake claim as per established constitutional norms in Karnataka’s interests.
I thank my sisters and brothers of Karnataka for steadfastly supporting the BJP’s development agenda and making BJP the single largest party in the state. I salute the stupendous work of Karnataka BJP's Karyakartas who toiled round the clock and worked for the party, says PM Modi
HD Kumaraswamy now speaks to the media
We have sat together and decided what to do. The Congress has said they will give us unconditional support
We have given a letter to the governor saying that we will be forming a government
The EC has to send a full and final tally to the governor, following which he will take a call
Siddaramaiah addresses the media
The Congress JD(S) alliance have approached the governor to stake claim to form government
It is not a question of happiness or unhappiness; we will work out molarities later. Firstly, the governor has to take a decision
We have decided that JD(S) will former government; we will support them
The JD(S) leadership has accepted this; we have now put in front of the governor. Once the decision is taken, we will look at the finer aspects
JD(S) & Congress have enough numbers to form the government. BJP cannot form the government without the numbers: M Veerappa Moily, Congress
JD(S) leader makes Danish Ali sensational claims; says BJP is trying to grab power by using the governor and the Centre has told the governor to give Yeddyurappa seven days to stake claim to form government.
Meanwhile, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee spoke to HD Deve Gowda
Quoting local media, NDTV claims that BS Yedyurappa been given a week to form government
100% we will form the government: BS Yeddyurappa
HD Kumaraswamy leaves for Raj Bhawan to meet Karnataka Governor in Bengaluru.
JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy seeks appointment from the Governor of Karnataka, writes we have accepted Congress's support to form the Government.
JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy seeks appointment from the Governor of #Karnataka this evening, writes we have accepted Congress's support to form the Government. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/epuCqf4m17
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
► The Congress has been voted out of the electorate in Karnataka: BS Yeddyurappa
► The single largest party - the BJP - has the claim to power
► Lakhs of workers have worked 24x7 to give BJP the status of the single largest party in the state
► The Congress has been hit by the force the BJP juggernaut has it it
► Despite the people not wanting them, I condemn the Congress for begging for power at any cost by allying with the JD(S)
► We are thankful to the work by PM Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah. The people have shown them their dream of an Congres-free Karnataka
HD Deve Gowda says Congress needs to form government with JD(S). No support from outside
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah enters the Governor's house in Bengaluru.
HD Kumaraswamy ready to become Karnataka CM
Just in: Karnataka governor sends back Congress and JD(S) who have approached Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form government
Congress candidate G Parameshwara wins Koratagere seat, says All India Radio.
#KarnatakaElections2018 : Congress candidate #GParameshwara wins Koratagere seat. #PollswithAIR pic.twitter.com/LcDYLmg1FQ
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) May 15, 2018
BJP CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa said that the final figures will be revealed soon. "Accordingly, we will decide the future plan. I don't want to talk about Congress or JD(S)," he said.
Shortly we will be knowing the final figures, then we'll decide the future plan. I don't want to talk about Congress or JD(S): BS Yeddyurappa, BJP. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/qYsQ9rzjuw
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
Congress has accepted the defeat in Karnataka Assembly Election 2018, but at the same time offered to support JD(S) to form the government.
"We accept the mandate of the people. We bow our heads to the verdict. We don’t have numbers to form govt. The Congress has offered to support JD(S) to form govt", said G. Parameshwara.
We accept the mandate of the people. We bow our heads to the verdict. We don’t have numbers to form govt. The Congress has offered to support JD(S) to form govt: G. Parameshwara, Congress. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/C4Hn3rtYGl
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has congratulated people of Karnataka and praised party workers for the victory.
CM Siddaramaiah will meet the Governor of Karnataka at 4 pm today.
Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray has also raised the issue of EVMs tampering.
Just one time, I want BJP to head into elections with ballot papers and not EVMs. All the apprehensions will go away: Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena Chief.
Just one time, I want BJP to head into elections with ballot papers & not EVMs. All the apprehensions will go away: Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena Chief. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/zRSQaxGmag
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
BJP CM Candidate BS Yeddyurappa wins from Shikaripura seat by 35,397 votes. He is expected to reach Delhi around 3 pm today.
BJP CM Candidate BS Yeddyurappa wins from Shikaripura seat by 35,397 votes #KarnatakaElections2018(File Pic) pic.twitter.com/obaxDpy1lP
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
This is the third straight defeat of Rahul Gandhi since he became President. He declared himself the PM candidate: Rajyavardhan Rathore, Union Minister.
This is the third straight defeat of Rahul Gandhi since he became President. He declared himself the PM candidate. Now if all opposition wants to unite toh hamare liye bhi ye theek hai,ki desh ki jitni gandagi hai vo ek saath hate: Rajyavardhan Rathore, Union Minister #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/j0vHNL86FO
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
Senior Congress leader Mohan Prakash has once again raked up the issue of 'potential malpractices' in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Congress leader Mohan Prakash said that when all parties are doubting EVMs then what problem does the BJP have in conducting polls through a ballot.
People of Karnataka want good governance, that is why they have chosen BJP. This is a big victory for the party. Congress is losing state after state & we are winning state after state: Prakash Javadekar, BJP Karnataka in-charge
Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Nirmala Sitharaman celebrate at party headquarters in Delhi.
Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Nirmala Sitharaman celebrate at party headquarters in Delhi #KarnatakaElectionResults pic.twitter.com/ZLsHco9eR2
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
Congress leader DK Shivakumar concedes defeat, says Rahul Gandhi did his best
Earlier in the day, senior party leaders had expressed confidence that the Congress party will form the government and kept the options open to form an alliance with Janata Dal (S).
BJP is all set to form the government in Karnataka as the trends show BJP has crossed halfway mark of 112 as the saffron party is leading in over 118 seats.
This is a historic win for BJP. I want to thank all the people of Karnataka for voting for us: Raman Singh, CM of Chhattisgarh.
BJP workers celebrate outside party office in #Bengaluru as trends show the party leading. #KarnatakaElectionResults2018 pic.twitter.com/utBwcXwBme
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
Sensex up by over 350 points, currently at 35928.35 as BJP leads in Karnataka, Nifty at 10919.15
After opening lower, benchmark Sensex soared over 260 points in early trade today after the BJP took the lead in Karnataka election results.
BJP is marching ahead in over 107 seats, and looks all set to cross 112 seats.
There is no question of alliance(with JDS) as we are already crossing 112 seats: BJP leader Sadananda Gowda
There is no question of alliance(with JDS) as we are already crossing 112 seats: Sadananda Gowda,BJP #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/Hi4ODkOaxo
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar leading over JDS's Narayana Gowda by 2729 votes from Kanakpura as counting underway for Karnataka Elections2018.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is trailing in Chamundeshwari assembly constituency in Mysuru from where he is seeking re-election in a keenly fought electoral battle with GT Deve Gowda of JD(S).
BJP leading on 102 seats, Congress on 65 seats. JD(S) and allies have maintained a lead on 41 seats.
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda’s son HD Kumaraswamy is being seen leading from Ramanagara seat. HD Kumaraswamy is leading in Ramanagara by 1,000 votes, the official trends said.
#KarnatakaVerdict Karnataka Results 2018: Deve Gowda's son HD Kumaraswamy of Janata Dal (Secular) leading from Ramanagara https://t.co/PkUbFfpRUu #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/pqtkXQ5T5k
— DNA (@dna) May 15, 2018
HD Kumaraswamy is leading over the Congress candidate by 1552 votes in Ramanagara.
These are initial trends,we hope Congress will form the Govt in Karnataka and are confident of it, but yes all options(allying with JDS) are open: Congress leader Ashok Gehlot.
As per early trends, BJP is leading on 74 seats, Congress on 68. According to Election Commission early trends, BJP is leading on 4 and Congress on 2 seats.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is trailing from both Chamundeshwari and Badami seats.
EVMs have been opened across counting centres in #Karnataka. Visuals from a counting centre in #Hubali.#KarnatakaElections pic.twitter.com/XsOHZiZgZs
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
Counting of votes is underway for Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018. Postal ballots are being counted first.
Counting of votes for #KarnatakaElections2018 begins, postal ballots to be counted first. Visuals from a strong room (where EVMs & postal ballots are kept) in #Kalaburagi's Afzalpur. pic.twitter.com/Pwyg6Cy01M
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
Ahead of the crucial Karnataka Assembly Election results, BJP’s B Sriramalu is seeking divine intervention. Sriramalu, who contested for prestigious Badami seat is hoping that there would be some benevolence from above in his fight against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
#KarnatakaElections2018: Ahead of crucial verdict, BJP's Sriramulu seeks 'divine intervention' for Badami https://t.co/1PMTWeKUrh pic.twitter.com/Z1XoJL0uU5
— DNA (@dna) May 15, 2018
Counting to begin shortly. Tight security outside strong rooms where EVMs are kept.
11,000 police personnel, 1 Rapid Action Force (RAF) company and 20 Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) companies have been deployed across Bengaluru for smooth counting of votes.
11,000 police personnel, 1 Rapid Action Force (RAF) company & 20 Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) companies have been deployed across Bengaluru today ahead of counting of votes for #KarnatakaElections2018; #Visuals from a counting center (Maharani College) pic.twitter.com/HzwPjHm4Qg
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
High-Security arrangements in place to ensure smooth counting of votes today.
The police have banned celebrations, processions and bursting of crackers around the 38 counting centres in the state and deployed additional forces in the area around those centres. "Adequate security personnel will be there at all counting centres to ensure law and order in maintained," said OP Rawat, Chief Election Commissioner.
We have deployed Central Armed Police Forces(CAPF) in strong rooms, adequate security personnel presence will be there at all counting centres to ensure law and order is maintained: OP Rawat,Chief Election Commissioner #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/VMF1p4yPc3
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
Counting of votes to begin shortly at 8 am. Visuals from a counting center (Gulbarga University) in Kalaburagi ahead of counting of votes for Karnataka Elections 2018.
#Visuals from a counting center (Gulbarga University) in Kalaburagi ahead of counting of votes for #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/RdHmiAz9Zu
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018
