BJP gains in Karnataka phase II elections: Exit Poll

New Delhi, May 16 (UNI) The BJP maintained its lead over the Congress and the JD(S) in the second phase of Assembly elections in Karnataka today, according to an exit poll.

The exit poll, conducted by NDTV, predicted that the BJP would win between 32 and 42 seats out of the 66 constituencies where the polling was held today.

The Congress would emerge winner from 15-20 constituencies while the JD(S) could bag only 8-12 seats. The others would win between two and four seats.

The seat swing showed a three per cent gain for the BJP and a loss of one per cent for the Congress.

While there was a downward slide of two per cent for the JD(S), no swing was reported in favour or against the others.

The NDTV had taken sample size of 9447 voters across 22 constituencies while the fieldwork was done by IMRB.

An estimated 60.3 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the second phase of elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly for 66 seats in ten districts today.

In the first phase held on May 10, the BJP and the JD(S) were neck and neck and much ahead of the Congress, as per the exit poll.

It predicted the BJP would win 31 of the 89 seats where the polling was held in the first phase.

The predictions for the JD(S) suggested that it would emerge winner from 30 Assembly constituencies while the Congress could bag only 23 seats.

While the exit poll showed a gain of 11 seats for the BJP, it predicted a loss of six and five seats for the JD(S) and the Congress respectively.

The exit poll projection for 28 seats in Bangalore suggested that the BJP would bag 14 seats followed by the Congress with 10 and the JD(S) four.

The seat swing showed a four per cent gain for the BJP and a loss of four per cent for the Congress. The JD(S) position remained same with no swing in favour or against reported.

The exit poll projection for 61 seats, excluding Bangalore, suggested that the JD(S) would emerge winner from 26 seats followed by the BJP with 17 and the Congress 13.

While the exit poll predicted a downward slide of two and one per cent for the Congress and the JD(S) respectively, the BJP gained a swing of three per cent in its favour.

An estimated 59.84 per cent voters had exercised their franchise in the first phase of elections for 89 seats in eleven districts on May 10.

The third and the final phase of polling for 69 seats in eight northern districts would be held on May 22.

The counting of votes will take place on May 25.

UNI AG RP NS2213