Karnataka Election Results 2023: Ahead of counting on the 224-member assembly in Karnataka, JD(S)leader HD Kumaraswamy has said that exit polls have shown that BJP and Congress will get big numbers. He said his party is a small one and there's no need for him. He said that the picture will be clear in the next 2-3 hours. The fight in Karnataka is majorly seen between the ruling BJP and Congress while JD(S) could be the kingmaker, in case there's a hung assembly.
"In the next 2-3 hours, it will become clear. Exit polls show that the two national parties will score in a big way. The polls have given 30-32 seats to JD(S). I am a small party, there is no demand for me...I am hoping for a good development," Kumaraswamy said, as quoted by ANI.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on the Election Commission website to see who wins Karnataka this time. The polling was concluded in Karnataka on May 10 in a single phase.
The southern state had recorded a voter turnout of 72 per cent till 5 pm. The state is seeing a three-cornered contest between the incumbent BJP, an aggressive Congress, and the Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular), which would hope to play kingmaker again. The 224 seats span across six regions - Bengaluru, Central, Coastal, Hyderabad-Karnataka, Mumbai-Karnataka and Southern Karnataka or Old Mysore region. Mumbai-Karnataka and Southern Karnataka are the largest regions of the state and consist of 50 and 51 Assembly seats respectively.
Meanwhile, ahead of the much-anticipated results day in Karnataka, a 'havan' was conducted outside the Congress office in Delhi.
Exit polls have indicated a close competition between the Congress and BJP, causing leaders from both parties to feel anxious about the outcome. Meanwhile, the JD(S) appears to anticipate a hung verdict, which could provide an opportunity for them to play a role in government formation. The majority of pollsters have given a slight advantage to the Congress, while also acknowledging the possibility of a hung Assembly in the state.