BJP will form next govt in Karnataka says Shah

BJP president Amit Shah asserted the party would form the next government in Karnataka, a day after the polling for high-stake Assembly polls in the southern state indicated a close contest between the saffron party and the Congress.

"The BJP will form the government in Karnataka on May 15 evening after the results," Shah said while addressing a gathering of around 15,000 BJP workers at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium near Panaji in Goa.

Most of the post-poll surveys have predicted the BJP to emerge as the single largest party in Karnataka, with the JD(S) of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda likely to emerge as the kingmaker.

Polling was held on Saturday in 222 constituencies in Karnataka, currently ruled by the Congress. Any party or alliance will need the support of 112 MLAs to form the new government.