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.
Bommai govt last month announced separate reservations for 4 groupings of SCs, reflecting historical divisions. Political parties are trying to woo each section as polls approach.
The most geopolitically consequential dimension is Donald Trump’s attempt to anchor a US-Russia reset into this peace package. This includes diplomatic and economic ties.
The industry forecasts exports are set to grow 16% in 2025-26, boosted by surplus domestic production and a drive to push into 26 underserved global markets with strong potential.
Indigenisation level will progressively increase up to 60 percent with key sub-assemblies, electronics and mechanical parts being manufactured locally.
It is a brilliant, reasonably priced, and mostly homemade aircraft with a stellar safety record; only two crashes in 24 years since its first flight. But its crash is a moment of introspection.
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