Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election Results 2018 LIVE Updates & Blog: Will it be BJP, Congress or JD(S)?

6:18 am: BJP Parliament board meeting at 7 pm today. PM Modi to chair the meeting

6:14 am: 

"Governor accepted the letter and said that he would inform us later," says H D Kumaraswamy

6:05 pm:

"JD(S) will form a govt with Congress, we wrote a letter to HD Deve Gowda as well," says Siddaramaiah

06:03 pm:

"AICC will support JD(S) unconditionally. Today we submitted a letter, we wrote a letter to HD Deve Gowda as well, the government must decide, modalities will be decided later," says G. Parameshwara

5:51 pm: BJP opens lines with JD(S), in talks with 15 MLAs

5:50 pm: JD(S) legislative party meeting called at 6:15 pm today in Bengaluru

5:48 pm:

With BJP & Congress-JD(S) In A Frantic Race To Form The Karnataka Government, Congress Reasons Why The Governor Should Invite Kumaraswamy

• A frantic race has ensued between Yeddyurappa and Kumaraswamy to be chief minister of Karnataka
• The BJP has staked claim as it has emerged the single-largest party
• The Congress has also cited precedents for why it should be allowed

4:45 pm:

"I am here with independent MLAs, they are joining us, I'm here with our independent MLA. The independent MLA Mr Nagesh & others MLAs are with us. We have the numbers. We want a secular govt in Karnataka," says DK Shivakumar, Congress

4:23 pm: Kumaraswamy accepts the support extended by Congress for forming the government in Karnataka

4:06 pm:

"Siddaramaiah himself has suffered a pathetic defeat in the home constituency," says Yeddyurappa

4:04 pm: Siddaramaiah submits his resignation to governor Vajubhai Vala 

3:57 pm:

3:47 pm: BJP reaches out to HD Deve Gowda. BJP sends leader R. Ashoka as an emissary to Deve Gowda

3:40 pm: As per reports, a Congress delegation led by G Parameshwara, who had gone to the Governor's House, did not get entry, turned back

3:35 pm:

3:26 pm: PM Modi, Amit Shah address at BJP headquarters postponed

WATCH: Congress Announces That JD(S) Has Accepted Its Support To Form Karnataka Government

• The Congress party has said that it has offered its support to the JD(S) for the latter to form a government in Karnataka
• As per Ghulam Nabi Azad, JD(S)' top leaders HD Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy have accepted the Congress' support
• The Congress hopes to go along with the JD(S) to the Governor later today to stake their claim

3:14 pm: Here's what Yeddyurappa said while addressing the media

"We will know exact figure soon, we will strategize accordingly," says Yeddyurappa

3:09 pm: Rahul Gandhi is likely to go to the Congress headquarters at 4 pm

3:04 pm: 

3:02 pm: BJP's B. S. Yeddyurappa to meet governor in Bengaluru at 5:30 pm

2:55 pm: Here's what Siddaramaiah said while addressing the media

"We have taken a decision to support JD(S), JD(S) will head the government. We have had a telephonic talk to HD Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy. They have accepted this. Today evening we will give this on writing to the governor," says Siddaramaiah.

2:50 pm: Here's what G Parameshwara said while addressing the media

"We accept the mandate, we accept the verdict of people, we bow our heads and accept mandate no party is ahead," says G Parameshwara

2:41 pm: Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy arrives at Siddaramaiah's residence to meet him

2:40 pm: Siddharamiah to meet Karnataka governor at 4 pm

2:36 pm: 

"Just one time, I want BJP to head into elections with ballot papers and not EVMs. All the apprehensions will go away," says Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena Chief

2:35 pm: Congress is sending a written letter of support to JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy this letter is addressed to Karnataka Government

2:17 pm: As per sources, the JD(S) has accepted the Congress' offer and the two parties will approach the Governor tomorrow if the BJP falls short by even one seat

2:05 pm: Leads + results as of 2:05 pm on #KarnatakaElectionResults

1:50 pm: BJP Chief Ministerial Candidate BS Yeddyurappa wins from Shikaripura seat by 35,397 votes 

1:29 pm:

"We are going to form the government, the numbers are on our side. There is no chance of speculation. Congress in their last-minute desperation can try anything, but the people have not voted for them," says Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

1:25 pm: Siddaramaiah loses in Chamundeshwari 

1:23 pm: Congress press conference which was going to take place at 12.30 pm has been pushed to 2 pm

1:14 pm: 

1:00 pm: 

12:50 pm: 

12:45 pm: BJP supporters celebrate outside the BJP headquarters

12:41 pm:

12:30 pm: 

"Dynasty has come to an end in Indian Politics, there is a new political culture after PM Modi and Amit Shah," says Jitendra Singh, MoS PMO

12:14 pm: Rahul Gandhi likely to make a statement after the Congress press conference, which will take place at 12:30 pm.

लकड़ी की कुर्सी से 'सीएम के सिंहासन' तक का सफर करने वाले येदियुरप्पा, जानिए उनका राजनीतिक सफर

12:05 pm: Leads + results as of 12:05 pm on #KarnatakaElectionResults

12:04 pm: As BJP Wins Karnataka, BS Yeddyurappa to leave for Delhi

12:00 pm: Latest picture of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda at his residence meeting JD(S) leaders

 11:58 am: 

11:49 am:

11:45 am: 

"People of Karnataka want good governance, that is why they have chosen BJP. This is a big victory for the party. Congress is losing state after state & we are winning state after state," says Prakash Javadekar, BJP Karnataka in-charge

11:40 am: This picture of CM Siddaramaiah's office has just come in.

11:31 am

"I am saying it from day 1, there is no political party in India which has not raised questions on EVMs, even BJP has done it in the past. Now when all parties are doubting EVMs then what problem does BJP have in conducting polls through ballot?," says Mohan Prakash, Congress

11:30 am: 

11:25 am: PM Narendra Modi to address party workers at BJP HQ at 6:30 pm

11:20 am: 

11:15 am: As per latest reports, Siddharamiah will be resigning in the evening today

Karnataka Elections 2018: Here’s When Dr Subramanian Swamy Concluded That Congress Has Committed Suicide

• Senior BJP MP Dr Swamy in a tongue-and-cheek tweet indicated Karnataka’s approval of a separate religion tag for Lingayat community has brought upon the downfall of Siddaramaiah
• In yet another tweet, Dr Swamy said he is looking forward to BS Yeddyurappa's swearing in. Yeddyurappas is the BJP's CM candidate in Karnataka

11:04 am: 

11:03 am: Leads + results as of 11:03 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

11:00 am: 

10:50 am: First visuals of Yeddyurappa come in as #BJPWinsKarnataka

10:45 am: Here's what Subramanian Swamy had to say about Karnataka Election Results

10:35 am: Sensex up by over 350 points, currently at 35928.35 as BJP leads in #Karnataka, Nifty at 10919.15

10:30 am: Leads as of 10:30 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

10:28 am: BJP crosses halfway mark with 116 seats

10:25 am:

"Numbers are not good. We never expected these numbers, we expected three-digits," says DK Shivakumar, Karnataka minister and Congress leader

10:23 am: BJP crosses halfway mark with 112 seats

10:21 am: BJP parliamentary board meeting in the evening

10:20 am:

"Clear that Karnataka wants Cong-mukt Karnataka. Congress' strategy has been exposed. They have nothing in terms of political narrative except hate-mongering against PM and hit-jobs in social media says," Rajeev Chandrasekhar

10:19 am: Leads as of 10:19 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

Karnataka Elections 2018: Congress Tries To Woo JD (S), To Propose A 'Compromise CM', Claim Sources

• Congress sources have told Republic TV the party will do anything to woo the Janata Dal (Secular)
• The Congress sources said the party will do anything to defeat and stop the BJP to expand its footprint in the southern state

10:11 am: Here's what Omar Abdullah has to say about #KarnatakaElectionResults

10:04 am: Leads as of 10:04 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

10:03 am: As BJP surges ahead with leads showing 104 seats, celebrations begin at BJP HQ, Bengaluru

10:02 am: 

 

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कर्नाटक चुनाव 2018 : बीजेपी को अब तक 41.6%, कांग्रेस को 40.1%, जेडीएस को 13.3% वोट मिले

कर्नाटक में अब तक आए  शुरुआती रुझान और नतीजों में किसी पार्टी को बहुमत मिलता नहीं दिख रहा है.

दस बजे तक के रुझानों में बीजेपी 108 सीटों के साथ सबसे आगे है और कांग्रेस 66 सीटों के साथ दूसरे नंबर पर. 

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9:58 am: Leads as of 9:58 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

9:56 am: 

Leads have come in for 222 seats in the Karnataka Elections: BJP ahead with 101 seats, Congress at 75 and potential king-maker JD(S) is at 44.

9:49 am: Leads as of 9:49 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

9:44 am: Here's what Mallikarjun Kharge has to say before the Karnataka Election Results are declared

"Now still it's only early trends. We have to wait till 11 am for correct position, coalition talks will be decided post 11 am," says Mallikarjun Kharge

9:36 am: 

9:32 am: Leads as of 9:32 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

9:29 am: Leads as of 9:29 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

9:24 am:

9:21 am: 

It depends on Deve Gowda and where he wants the JD(S) to go,"says Mohandas Pai

9:20 am: Leads as of 9:20 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

9:17 am: Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ashok Gehlot to meet CM Siddaramaiah shortly

9:15 am: Leads as of 9:15 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

9:11 am: Leads as of 9:11 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

9:08 am: Leads as of 9:08 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

9:12 am: देश में अब तक का सबसे महंगा बना कर्नाटक विधानसभा चुनाव , 10 हजार करोड़ रुपये हुए खर्च

कर्नाटक विधानसभा के वोटों की गिनती शुरू हो चुकी है. 222 सीटों के रुझान और नतीजे तेजी से आने लगे हैं. कर्नाटक का किंग कौन बनेगा , इस बात का फैसला कुछ ही घंटों में हो जाएगा. 

9:11 am: Karnataka Elections 2018: 'BJP Will Form Government In Karnataka,' Says Baba Ramdev

• Baba Ramdev said he is confident that the BJP will form the next government in the southern state
• Ramdev said the Karnataka Assembly polls would be a turning point in national politics

9:05 am: BJP leads in Coastal Karnataka as of 9:05 am

9:05 am: Leads as of 9:05 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

9:01 am: Leads as of 9:01 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

9:00 am: Siddharamaih leading in Badami but trailing in Chamundeshwari, say latest reports

8:59 am: Leads as of 8:59 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

8:58 am: H.D. Kumaraswamy leading in both Ramanagaram and Channapatna as of 8:58 am.

8:50 am: Leads as of 8:50 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

8:47 am: Leads as of 8:47 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

8:46 am: Political activists monitor results on a big screen in Bengaluru's Freedom Park 

8:45 am: EVMs have been opened across counting centres in Karnataka. Visuals from a counting centre in Hubli.

8:43 am: 

"We will get the majority, Yeddyurappa will be the CM. We will get 150 seats," says Shobha Karandlaje

8:40 am: Leads as of 8:40 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

8:34 am: As per latest reports, early lead for Congress in Bengaluru

8:33 am: Leads as of 8:33 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

8:26 am: Karnataka Elections 2018: Ahead Of Results, Netas Seek Divine Blessings

• As the ballet boxes will open on Tuesday eventually deciding the fate of the Karnataka, political leaders and party workers are seeking divine intervention
• After campaigning, counting of votes in 222 constituencies in the all-important Karnataka Assembly elections started on Tuesday

 8:24 am: Leads as of 8:24 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

8:23 am: As per latest reports, an early boost for BJP and Congress in Karnataka Elections 2018

 8:20 am: Leads as of 8:20 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

8:17 am: As per reports, counting delayed by 30 minutes in Bangalore rural region

8:16 am: Siddaramaiah is leading from Chamundeshwari, HD Kumaraswamy is leading from Ramanagram

8:15 am: Leads as of 8:15 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

8:11 am: As per reports, an early boost for BJP and Congress

8:07 am: Leads as of 8:07 am on #KarnatakaElectionResults

8:05 am: First leads come in as numbers begin to trickle in for the critical Karnataka Assembly Election

8:04 am: A massive 52 kg Vidhana Soudha shaped cake brought by supporters of DK Shivakumar to his residence 

8:00 am: Counting of votes begins in the critical Karnataka Assembly Election.

7:59 am: Strong room in Bengaluru's Gandhinagar open

कर्नाटक का इलेक्शन अबतक का सबसे महंगा चुनाव बना, जानें कितने करोड़ हुए स्वाहा

हाल ही में संपन्न हुआ कर्नाटक विधानसभा चुनाव राजनीतिक पार्टियों और उनके द्वारा खर्च किए गए धन के मामले में देश में आयोजित ‘अब तक का सबसे महंगा’ विधानसभा चुनाव रहा.

7:57 am: BJP workers clash with police in Gadag ahead of counting

7:55 am: Siddaramaiah is in Bengaluru as top leaders hold meetings, cancels his Mysuru trip say sources

7:54 am: Here's what Yatindra Siddaramaiah has to say moments before the Karnataka election results are announced

7:51 am: Karnataka Elections 2018: A Look Back At 10 Controversies

• After months of blistering campaigning in battleground Karnataka, the fate of the state will be decided on Tuesday
• In the bid to get the majority vote share in the state assembly, the parties in fray left no stones unturned
• Even as the counting of votes in 222 constituencies will take place on Tuesday to decide who rules the state, here’s a look at 10 controversies that marred the Karnataka assembly elections 2018

7:44 am: HD Kumaraswamy's temple run moments after returning to Bengaluru from Singapore 

7:30 am: Congress workers perform Havan outside AICC headquarters

7:27 am: 

'We (BJP) are very confident that we will win. We are going to get more than 120 seats', says Sadananda Gowda, former Karnataka CM and current Union Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation

7:20 am: As per ANI, 50,000 police personnel deployed across 38 counting centers in the state,11,000 in Bengaluru alone. 1 Rapid Action Force (RAF) company & 20 Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) companies also deployed in Bengaluru

7:17 am: Vijay Goel speaks exclusively to Republic TV

"We are very much confident of that we will make the government. People there want there to change the government because the government there has not done anything there. Congress has ruled for 50 years then there was no problem now they are targeting all constitutional bodies EVM and all".

7:12 am: Preparations are for counting to begin in Karnataka's Bagalkot district

7:09 am: Karnataka Elections 2018: Understanding Data Visuals From Gramener

• Gramener helps users analyse data and consume insights
• Republic brings you visually represented data for Karnataka Elections 2018
• The data will go live at 8 am

06:58 am: Sriramulu holds special prayers ahead of results. He’s fighting Siddaramaiah in Badami. A pooja is being held at his residence in Molkalmuru in Chitradurga.

06:53 am: Gramener election graphics are now LIVE. 

06:49 am: As per reports, JD(S) State President HD Kumaraswamy visits Kalabairaveshwara temple in Nagamangala ahead of state assembly results.

06:47 am: Counting preparations on at Bengaluru’s mount Carmel college

06:45 am: Counting Centre in Yadgir preparing to start counting 

06:43 am: Prohibitory orders in place around all the 5 counting centers in Bengaluru. Over 18,000 cops deployed for security around counting centers in the city. Counting will take place at BMS women's college, SSMRV college, Maharani college Carmel college, and RB College.

6:39 am:

"Channels of communication open with JD(S), possibilities of CM candidates discussed, will decide cm candidate after polls," says top AICC sources

6:38 am: EC officials getting prepared to begin counting in Mandya district

6:36 am: Seat share during Karnataka results in 2013

6:33 am: Vote share during Karnataka results in 2013

6:23 am: Hours before Karnataka Elections 2018 results, Congress alleges EVM tampering

Hours before counting, Congress alleges EVM tampering. Congress delegation meets Chief electoral officer alleging EVM tampering. Congress led by its state president Gundu Rao complaining to Chief electoral officer over unaccounted postal ballots recovered at a hotel room in Badami.

6:18 am: 

Karnataka CEO rejects the report of 1000 postal ballots found and being misused in a lodge in Badami constituency, Karnataka, says only two pages of instruction on how to exercise postal ballot found in the premises and not postal ballots

6:16 am: Security deployed outside a counting center in Kalaburagi ahead of counting of votes for Karnataka Elections 2018 results

6:14 am:

"We will get between 112 and 118 seats, we will win unless there is manipulation of EVMs. Won't need help from JD(S)," says Top AICC sources 

6:07 am: Republic studios are ready to bring you non-stop coverage of counting day for the critical Karnataka Elections!

6:00 am: The fastest and sharpest election team is LIVE on counting day

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After months of high-octane campaigning and a number of controversies, counting of votes in 222 constituencies in the all-important Karnataka Assembly elections will take place on Tuesday.

Over 72% voter turnout was recorded in the single-phase election held on May 12, narrowly beating the corresponding figure for 2013, and the exit polls were unable to unanimously predict a single-largest party, with the poll of polls predicting a hung assembly.

While the BJP and Congress are sure to duke it out for top spot, exit polls threw up the possibility that the JD(S) may emerge king-maker, meaning there is a chance that both national parties may have to reconsider their chief ministerial candidates in case a need to ally with the Deve Gowda-led JD(S) arises. 

In a marked departure from the position he'd maintained right up till voting day, current Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday expressed his willingness to step aside if the Congress high-command requests it of him, though he did simultaneously add that these elections would be his last -- unusual given that the Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to take place in a year's time. 

Meanwhile, controversy has shrouded the BJP's candidate and former Karnataka chief minister Yeddyurappa right from the start of the campaign on account of his previous over-three-week incarceration in connection with two corruption cases. To add to this, the Congress has made it a point to also attack the BJP over the tickets given out to the brothers and associates of illegal mining scam kingpin Gali Janardhana Reddy. 

Both BJP and Congress have been adamant that they are going to win the election outright with Yeddyurappa even remarking that he would be sworn in on May 17 (Thursday).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP party president Amit Shah and Congress president Rahul Gandhi campaigned heavily in the state with former Congress president Sonia Gandhi also addressing one rally. 

Controversies in the election began early with the Siddaramaiah-led government granting religious minority status to the electorally significant Lingayat community and peaked in the days before voting day when the election in the Rajarajeshwari Nagar constituency in Bengaluru was deferred after the sitting MLA and Congress candidate for the seat was named in two FIRs, one of which was regarding the shocking finding of almost 10,000 Voter ID cards in an apartment with an alleged intent to bribe the cardholders in exchange for their votes. 

In the 2013 elections, the Congress had won an outright majority by jumping from 80 seats to 122, while the BJP had fallen markedly from 110 to 40. The JD(S), meanwhile, had won 40 seats, 12 more than in 2008.