What Political Leaders Say About Karnataka Election Results?

A day before the election results of the Karnataka Assembly are announced, all three leading parties have expressed confidence in coming back to power.

Despite expressing confidence, the backroom talks have already begun among parties as most exit polls have predicted a hung assembly. It means the JDS will play the role of a kingmaker again.

So, what do the leaders say about the results a day before it is announced?

Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the BJP has already admitted its defeat and the Congress will form the next government. "I want to thank the 6.5 crore people of Karnataka who have voted for the Congress party. Let us wait till tomorrow, till the results are out. BJP has admitted their defeat. Congress party will form the government and we will serve the people of Karnataka," he said.

Congress state chief DK Shivakumar said that his party will get a comfortable majority and denied the reports which claimed that Congress was in talks with the JDS in case of a hung assembly. "Exit polls have their own theory. We don't go by those samples, my sample size is too high and in that, we will have a comfortable majority. I do not know about JD(S), let them take their own call. I don't have any backup plan, my only plan is that Congress party will come to power," he stated.

Another Congress MLA Priyank Kharge predicted that the grand old party will secure 120 seats in this Karnataka Assembly polls. "We are going to pass 120 seats. There is no question of a hung government, we are supremely confident that we will form the government on our own," he added.

On his turn, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that his party would get 141 seats. "There is no chance of a hung Assembly, we are going to form the govt comfortably. Let him (DK Shivakumar) be happy with his 141 seats till tomorrow. We will have a legislature party meeting to decide the CM's face," he added.

On a question about forming an alliance with JD(S), in case the BJP falls short of a majority, former Karnataka CM and Lingayat strongman said, "At that time, National leadership is going to take a decision. The question does not arise. I am certain that the party will get 115-117 seats".

"All leaders worked hard. I am confident that the BJP will form the government. Let us wait and watch," the BJP veteran said.

K Annamalai, BJP's poll co-in charge, said that the BJP will break two jinxes this election. "I am very confident tomorrow Karnataka BJP is going to break two jinxes. One, after 1985, a political party has not come back to power again twice in succession and second that BJP Karnataka has not crossed 113 on our own till now. We are very confident when BJP is crossing 113 mark of our own and there is no question of seeking anybody's support."

Surprisingly, the JDS national spokesperson Tanveer Ahmed said that they have already decided which party they would support in forming the government after the results are declared. "We have already decided with whom we are going to form the government. We will announce it to the public when the appropriate time comes," he told the ANI.