Different polls, different predictions; Whats common is JD(S) emerging as 'kingmaker'

With less than a month remaining for Karnataka Assembly elections, opinion polls are throwing up all kinds of predictions. Some say BJP will bag more seats, while others say it will be the Congress that will emerge as the single largest party. Predictions about the number of seats that the JD(S) would win also vary fom survey-to-survey, but what has remained a constant is that the Deve Gowda-led party may ultimately be the kingmaker.

All opinion polls so far have predicted a hung assembly in Karnataka, but what these surveys have also pointed out is that alliance with the JD (S) will in all probability be the key for government formation. Take any survey, the projections may be different but what is clear is that both the Congress and the BJP will have to stitch an alliance with the JD(S) to form the government.

In the India Today opinion poll, the Congress is pegged to bag anywhere between 90-101 seats, the BJP is likely to get between 78-86 seats, while the JD (S) is expected to win between 34-43 seats.

As per ABP survey, BJP is set to become the single largest party with 89-95 seats while the incumbent Congress is likely to win anywhere between 85-91 seats. Deve Gowda led JDS is projected to win 32-38 seats and may emerge as the kingmaker.

Times Now survey also made similar predictions, Congress is likely to get 91 seats, while BJP is just two seats behind with 89 seats, JDS gets 40, that puts JDS in the hot spot.

Also, amidst the intense war or words between incumbent Congress and opposition BJP leaders, the JD(S) is exhibiting signs of emerging as a dark horse in several areas.

While both the national parties are finding it tough to get people to their rallies, JD(S) has been witnessing flood of supporters in all its rallies, braving scorching heat and pouring rain.

Though JD(S) leaders have been silent on criticising PM Narendra Modi and BJP leaders, the party has been furious over the Congress for its president Rahul Gandhi's jibe that JD(S) is nothing, but a B-team of BJP in Karnataka. JDS leaders are hopeful of winning in as many as 75-80 seats in the polls and thus going on to become a king-maker in the state politics.

So, even if JD(S) manages to win far lesser seats than the two national parties, it will be Deve Gowda-led party that would be calling the shots.

Interestingly, JD(S) Supremo H.D. Deve Gowda has said that in the changing political scenario in Karnataka, his party will be a 'King' and not a 'King-Maker' and this time, people will vote for JD(S) as they have tried both Congress and the BJP.