With his approach based on 3 pillars — mass outreach, visible leadership & enthusiastic cadre — D. K. Shivakumar had kept up pressure on the BJP government consistently.
BJP tally went down from 30 to 16 in the region. Anger among sections of Lingayats was a major factor as several religious & community leaders asked followers not to back the party.
At 12.50 pm Saturday, data on Election Commission website showed Congress leading in 128 of 224 seats, while BJP was leading in 66 seats and JD(S) in 22. Congress had already won in 2 seats.
Two of ten exit polls predict BJP win & five, which say Congress will emerge as single largest party, hint at possibility of Karnataka heading towards hung assembly.
Controversy stirred up a hornet's nest for Congress, with BJP launching blistering attack on rival. Modi even claimed that opposition party wanted to 'lock up' devotees of Hanuman.
In Hyderabad-Karnataka region, Congress has given more tickets to the Scheduled Caste 'touchables', and none to SC-Left. Party hopes this will help it make up for SC-Left votes.
As curtains fall on Karnataka campaign, the BJP leader talks about his party’s chances in Karnataka, corruption allegations against Bommai govt, and ‘The Kerala Story’.
Bajrang Dal, which Congress promised to 'ban' if voted to power, has presence in coastal Karnataka. The issue, though not a 'game-changer' will likely neutralise anti-incumbency in state.
Miffed over ticket distribution, Savadi & Shettar joined Congress earlier in April. This could pose a challenge for BJP in Kittur-Karnataka, a region that sends 50 MLAs to assembly.
More than 80% of seats BJP won in last 4 Karnataka polls saw direct contests with Congress. BJP improved its strike rate against JD(S) to 65% in 2018 from 31.25% in 2004.
The absence of major adjustments in tax rates has meant a decline in general interest in the annual budgets, with less curiosity about what they contain. Budget 2026 could change that.
As Visakhapatnam readies a mega airport, the Andhra Pradesh government has revived its shelved Dagadarthi project, aiming to boost cargo and connectivity on the south coast.
Speaking at annual press conference, Army chief reiterated that India does not recognise 1963 Sino-Pakistan border pact under which Pakistan illegally ceded Shaksgam Valley to China.
UK, EFTA already in the bag and EU on the way, many members of RCEP except China signed up, and even restrictions on China being lifted, India has changed its mind on trade.
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