Cong to form govt in Karnataka, race for CM's post begins

Bangalore, May 8: Congress will form government in Karnataka with a simple majority. The party had officially won 109 seats with commanding leads in 13 constituencies till 5 pm. The halfway mark is 113.

This number is close to many surveys and exit polls but what is surprising is the emergence of Janata Dal (S) as strong party.

Strangely, the ruling BJP may not even become the opposition party and make way to the JDS.

Former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa's KJP seems to have hurt the BJP badly but his party itself was poor in single digit seats.

Meanwhile, with one of the aspirant for the CM's post and KPCC chief G Parmeshwara tasting defeat by over 10,000 votes, the race for the chief minister's post is now open.

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah is the next leading contender for the post but he is a recent convert, having joined the party in the last decade.

Waiting in the wings is senior party leader and Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge. He has right credentials, he is Dalit, non controversial and has no scandals to worry about. He also belongs to Hyderabad Karnataka region which has been the Congress bastion.

There are also dark horse candidates like Krishna Byregowda, who is the urban face of the party with a considerable body of work in rural region. He is young and has the backing of all important person in Rahul Gandhi.

The elections were held in 223 seats because voting in Periyapatna constituency was postponed until May 28 following the death of the BJP candidate. The counting of votes is being held in 36 centres across Karnataka.

Details Of results:

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