Cong list of 61 observers out, 5 to exclusively oversee Bengaluru

The Congress in Karnataka wants to leave nothing to chance and is doing all it can to win the elections this year.

The Congress has released a list of 61 election observers to oversee the elections. The list has names of observers for both the city and rural levels.

"Congress President has approved the proposal for the appointment of AICC Observers for Bangalore City and AICC Assembly Level Observers to oversee the Election Preparations for the ensuing Assembly Elections in Karnataka-2023, in selective assembly segment/assigned to each of them, as follows, with immediate effect," a release from the Congress said.

In the list of 61 observers, 5 are exclusively to oversee the elections in Bengaluru city.
"Congress Party observers for Bangalore City are Ex-PCC chief N. Raghuveera Reddy, Ex MRCC President Sanjay Nirupam, MP Benny Behanan, MP Karti Chidambaram, MP Jothimani," the press note also said.

The election heat is high in Karnataka, which is witnessing a three-way battle between the BJP, Congress and Janata Dal (S). In all there are 224 seats up for grabs and the magic number is 113. Currently the BJP has 119 MLAs, while the Congress and JD(S) have 75 and 28 respectively.

All three parties are engaged in hurling allegations and counter-allegations. The BJP is trying to wade off anti-incumbency as the state has not in recent times elected a party for the second time in a row. The Congress is hoping to ride the rebellion in the BJP, which had dropped the names of several sitting MLAs from its list. The BJP on the other hand has accused the Congress of trying to take its candidates as it does not have too many of its own.

Elections in Karnataka will be held in a single phase on May 10 and the results wold be out on May 13.