BJP makes initial foray, leads in 31 constituencies

Bangalore, May 25: Aiming to form a government on its own the Bharatiya Janata Party today built an early lead in 45 of the 92 constituencies in the 224 member Karnataka Assembly as counting began on a peaceful note here this morning.

According to official sources the Congress was closely behind leading in 35 constituencies, the Janata Dal (Secular) in 10 and others three.

Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy after the first round built a narrow 25 votes lead over his nearest Congress rival Mamta Nichani, daughter of former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde in Ramanagaram.

Rebel Star and Congress MP Ambaresh was trailing by over 800 votes in Srirangapatna against his nearest Rival Ramash Bandiesiddegowda (JD-S).

Police said counting began on a peaceful note in all the 46 counting centres across the state amidst heavy bandobust arrangements, including deployment of reserve police from other States including Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

UNI