With Hung Verdict In Sight, It Is ‘Operation Lotus vs Operation Hasta’

The exit polls were out on Wednesday and many had predicted a hung assembly.

Both main parties, the BJP and Congress are already at work to ensure that they form the government in case of a hung verdict. The Congress has devised 'Operation Hasta' in a bid to counter 'Operation Lotus' by the BJP in case it induces its MLAs in case of a hung verdict. Karnataka voted on May 10, the results will be out on May 13. In the 224 member House, the magic number is 113.

The JD(S) which could end up playing kingmaker in the case of a hung house is also keeping its flock together to ensure that all its MLA stick to it as both the main parties may eye to induce them.

The biggest problem for the JD(S) is to keep its flock together as both national parties may reach out to its MLAs in the case of a hung house. The JD(S) would be looking for a 2018 like scenario, where it ends up playing kingmaker.

JD(S) boss, H D Kumaraswamy had said that the two national parties would surely look to break them as they will not get a majority to form the government in the state. "We are taking measures to keep our flock together and will ensure that no party will be able to form the government without our help," he had also said.

The Congress has however maintained that the party will get a majority and will not enter into an alliance with any party, including the JD(S).

In 2018, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party, but failed to form the government. The JD(S) and Congress went ahead and formed the government. However there was an exodus from both the JD(S) and Congress into the BJP. The BJP went on to form the government and ruled until the elections on May 10.