Karnataka Polls: Shivakumar Rules Out Post-Poll Alliance Between Congress, JDS

Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar has ruled out chances of a post-poll alliance with JDS as the state votes today. The result will be declared on May 13.

As Karnataka votes today, state Congress chief DK Shivakumar has ruled out an alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) after the elections. When asked whether the Congress will forge an alliance with the JDS, he said, "No chances, we will form the government on our own." A confident Shivakumar also said, "I am 200% confident Congress party will have 141 seats. We will win an absolute majority." Meanwhile, his wife said, "I am 100% that my husband will win. Congress govt will come. It (The Kerala Story) will not have any effect in Karnataka. I appeal to people to vote for Congress."

On the other hand, BJP leader BS Yediyurappa interacted with the media after casting his vote. He said, "BY Vijayendra is going to get more than 40,000 votes here. We will get the absolute majority and will form the government, there is no doubt about it. People's response is very good." 

CM Basavaraj Bommai expressed joy over the way BJP campaigned for the polls. 

"I am very happy with the way our party conducted the campaign and the way people have reacted. I appeal to people to come and vote for the development of Karnataka," CM Bommai said. 

Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman hit out at the opposition after casting her vote. She said, "...On inflation, I am with the public that yes, there should not be a burden on them but the Opposition has no right (to speak on it). They should look at their own tenure..." 

Meanwhile, both Congress and BJP are making big claims of winning the elections with a large margin.  

Former Karnataka CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said, "I've been constantly saying that Congress will get 130 plus seats, it may go up to 150 seats also."

A voter turnout of 8.26 per cent was recorded in the first two hours of polling in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections on Wednesday, according to Election Commission data. The highest percentage was in the coastal district of Udupi (13.28 per cent) and the lowest was in Chamarajanagar district (5.75 per cent) till 9 am. Voting for the 224-member Assembly began at 7 am and will go on till 6 pm. The main electoral fight is between the ruling BJP, Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) led by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.