The Congress is ahead in Karnataka assembly elections, leading in 119 seats, while the BJP is trailing in 72 seats, as counting of votes for the 224-member Assembly is going on.
The electoral fortunes of top leaders, including Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai of the BJP, Congress heavyweights Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar and JD(S)’ HD Kumaraswamy, among many others will be decided today.
Former CM Jagadish Shettar, who quit the BJP after being denied to contest in the May 10 polls for the 224-member Assembly, was trailing in Hubballi-Dharwad Central by 2,614 votes. He was fielded there by the Congress.
Most exit polls had given an edge to the Congress over the ruling BJP, while also indicating the possibility of a hung Assembly in the state. The JD(S) is expecting for a hung verdict, which would enable it to play a role in government formation.
The counting of votes is being held at 31,448 centres across the state. The results are expected to be known by late evening.