Banglore,May 25:In the Karnataka assembly elections, continuing its surge, the BJP has crossed 100 mark and is close to the half-way stage in the 224 -member house. Trends and results available for all the seats indicate that the party has won 21 seats and is leading in 92. The Congress has won 5 seats and is ahead in 62. JDS has won 2 seats and is leading in 31. Others are leading in 11 constituencies.
BJP’s chief ministerial candidate and former chief minister Mr. B.S. Yeddyurappa is leading in Shikaripura against his Samajwadi party leader and former Chief Minister S. Banggarappa by over 4 thousand votes. In a tactical move of support to Bangarappa, Congress and JDS did not field candidates in this constituency. In Sorab, Kumar Bangarappa of the Samajwadi Party is trailing. The constituency is one of the key constituencies as both of S. Bangarappa’s sons are locked in a close fight.
Former Chief Minister and JDS candidate Mr. H.D. Kumaraswamy has won in Ramanagara constituency. He defeated congress candidate Ms. Mamtha Begde Nichani daughter of former Chief Minister late Mr. Rama Krishna Hegde. Mr. H. D. Revanna, brother of H.D.Kumaraswamy is leading by over 12 thousand votes in Holenarasipura.
Another former chief minister and Congress candidate Mr. Dharam Singh is leading over his near BJP rival in Jevargi constituency.
Mr. M.P. Prakash, former Deputy Chief Minister and the Congress candidate is trailing in Harapanahalli constituency. From this constituency Mr. G. Karunakara Reddy of the BJP is leading.
Mr. Basavaraj Bommai of the BJP is leading in Shiggaon constituency.
KPCC President M. Mallikarjuna Kharge and former deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of the Congress are leading in their constituencies.
Mr. H.K. Patil of the Congress is trailing in Gadag constituency.
Congress today hinted at being open to doing business with the JD(S) again in Karnataka if there is a hung verdict in the Assembly elections. AICC Media Department Chairman M Veerappa Moily said, the JD(S) had a nightmarish experience working with the BJP, but not with the Congress. He was asked whether the Congress would join hands with Deve Gowda’s JDS in the event of the party not managing to get majority in the Assembly.
AICC spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said secularism is a common factor between the Congress and the JD(S), but added that the Congress high command would take a decision on the party entering into any alliance in the state. Courtsey : AIR