Karnataka Exit Polls: India TV-VMR predicts Congress as single largest party with 97 seats

Voting in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election 2018 has officially ended at 6 pm and the counting of votes will take place on May 15 (Tuesday) starting 8 am.

India TV-VMR Exit Poll has predicted hung assembly in Karnataka with the Congress likely to win 97 seats, BJP 87 seats and JD(S)+ 35 seats. Others are likely to 3 seats.

The Congress likely to get 38.4% votes, BJP 34.6% and JD(S)+ 17.4%. Others are likely to get 8% votes.

In Central Karnataka, out of 35 seats, Congress likely to win 12 seats, BJP 17 seats, JD(S)+ 5 seats and others 1 seat.

In Coastal Karnataka, out of 21 seats, Congress to get 13 seats, BJP 8 seats

In Greater Bangaluru, out of 30 seats, both Congress and BJP likely to get 14 seats each, JD(S)+ to get 2 seats

In Hyderabad Karnataka, out of 31 seats, Congress to get 12 seats while the BJP is likely to get 19 seats.

In Mumbai Karnataka, out of 50 seats, Congress likely to get 26 seats, BJP 23 seats and JD(S)+ 1 seat

In Old Mysore, out of 55 seats, Congress may get 21 seats, BJP 7 seats and others 2 seats.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress and the BJP are the main contenders for power. However, most pre-poll surveys have predicted a fractured mandate and suggested that former prime minister H D Deve Gowda's JD(S) may play the kingmaker's role.

Election Commission has said that the voter turnout has reached 70% till 6pm, however, some voters were still standing in queue even at 6pm when the voting was supposed to end.