Twist in Kamalnataka tale: Congress-JDS join hands. Ball in Governor’s court

The Bharatiya Janata Party has emerged as the single largest party in the Karnataka Assembly, but has fallen short of the halfway mark to form a government.

In in a quick turn of events, Congress announced that the party was willing to support the Janata Dal (Secular).

JD(S) accepts Congress offer, H. D. Kumaraswamy writes to Governor

Janata Dal (Secular) leader H. D. Kumaraswamy has written to the Governor of Karnataka seeking an appointment by evening to stake claim to form the government. In his letter, Mr. Kumaraswamy said he has accepted Congress’ offer extending support to the government.

The Congress has won 28 of the 222 seats polling for which was held, while it is leading in 49 others.

The JD(S) has won seven constituencies and its candidates are ahead of their rivals in 31.

If the number seats the two parties have won and where they are leading is taken into account, they could together end up with 115 seats, three more than the magic figure of 112.

The BJP, on the other hand, has won 57 seats and is leading in 47, a total of 104.

Congress attempting to subvert popular mandate: Yeddyurappa

BJP Chief Minister aspirant B.S. Yeddyurappa met mediapersons at party office in Bengaluru.

Mr. Yeddyurappa said he condemned “attempts by Congress to subvert popular mandate” and the party’s attempt to “trying to come back to power from back door.” People of Karnataka would never accept that.

“People of Karnataka have rejected the misrule of Mr. Siddaramaiah lock, stock, and barrell. People of Karnataka have voted for change. The State has responded to the call of Congress-free Karnataka by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP has emerged as single largest party and anti-Congress wave have also given JD(S) considerable seats. Anti-incumbency is so strong that Mr. Siddaramaiah has himself suffered a humiliating defeat in his own constituency,” he said.