Bangalore: Today is the day of decision after the voting for the Karnataka Assembly elections on May 11. Congress is seen getting an edge in the initial trends. Out of 224 seats, the Congress has taken a lead in 119 seats, which is 113 more than the majority mark. Whereas, BJP is leading on 79 seats and JDS is leading on 24. However, the counting of postal ballot votes is currently underway, after which the EVM machines will open.
At the same time, seeing the victory in Karnataka, a tussle has started in the State Congress for the Chief Minister's post. Supporters of both Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, veteran Congress leaders, are demanding that their respective leader be made the Chief Minister. On the other hand, according to the sources, this information has come to the fore that, for this, the Congress has prepared a plan to make both the Chief Ministers for half the time. Sources say that first Siddaramaiah can be made Chief Minister for two and a half years and then Shivakumar for two and a half years.
A party or alliance needs to win 113 seats to get a majority in the 224-member Karnataka Assembly. Political pundits have predicted an edge for the Congress in a tough fight with the BJP. Many have predicted a hung assembly. In such a situation, HD Kumaraswamy's JDS can become the kingmaker. A record 73.19 per cent votes were cast in the elections held on May 10 in Karnataka. This was the highest turnout in Karnataka after the formation of states on linguistic basis in 1957.
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