Karnataka Election 2023: Randeep Surjewala, a Congress leader, on Friday expressed that the BJP had acknowledged their loss in the Karnataka Assembly election and appreciated millions of voters who cast their votes on Wednesday. Surjewala reiterated the Congress' confidence in securing a substantial majority in the upcoming vote count and independently forming the new government in the southern state, news agency ANI reported.
Speaking with reporters, Surjewala stated: "I want to thank the 6.5 crore people of Karnataka who have voted for the Congress party. Let us wait till tomorrow, till the results are out. BJP has admitted their defeat."
Reporters asked about the likelihood of entering into a post-election agreement with the Janata Dal (Secular), similar to the alliance formed in 2018 which ultimately failed when it was overthrown by rebel MPs and the BJP a year later. To this, the Congress leader replied: "Let them go wherever they want to go. I am confident about the Congress forming the government with a decent majority."
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The remark came as the possibility of a hung assembly in the state is not entirely ruled out in a scenario where neither the BJP nor the Congress get a clear majority after days of high-octane campaigning.
The former Chief Minister and senior member of the JDS party, HD Kumaraswamy, has stated that his party, despite only expected to secure a relatively small number of seats (around 30), is prepared to negotiate with any other political party on the condition that they adhere to his conditions.
With most exit polls predicting a tight contest between the Congress and BJP, leaders of the two parties seem "jittery" over the outcome, while the JD(S) appears to be expecting a hung verdict, which would enable it to play a role in government formation.