Celebrations have already begun on social media with Congress supporters hailing Rahul Gandhi and other leaders for their aggressive campaign in Karnataka. On Saturday, the counting of votes for the Karnataka Election 2023 began and like the majority of the exit polls, Election Commission's trends showcased Congress leading. As per Election Commission (while writing), the Congress Party has touched the mark of 110 seats, while its archrival and ruling party BJP is leading only on 73 seats. On the other hand, Janata Dal (Secular) has been leading on 24 seats. Notably, in multiple exit poles it was reported that JDS will work as the kingmaker and multiple reports had suggested that the BJP and the Congress were in touch with the JDS in order to woo them to lend their support if there is a case of 'hung' assembly. It is pertinent to mention here that there are 224 seats in the House and the winning side needs to secure at least 113 seats. With Congress having touched the mark of 110 seats, it has almost touched the winning ground as per Election Commission Trends.
The counting of votes will begin at 8 am in 36 centres across the state on Saturday. Karnataka had registered a "record" turnout of 73.19 percent in the voting on May 10, to elect representatives to the 224-member Assembly.
Exit polls predict hung Assembly in K'taka; Cong likely to emerge as single-largest party
Karnataka Polls 2023
For those who haven't been following the campaigns and politics in the context of Karnataka Election 2023, the counting is still underway in the State. In the Karnataka Polls 2023, a total of 2,615 candidates contested. While the BJP is eyeing to a 'record' second term back to back which seems difficult, the Congress party is hoping to make its comeback especially a year before the 2024 General Elections. The saffron party campaigned aggressively in the state expecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s magic to work again in order to break a 38-year-old jinx. Notably, Karnataka has never voted the incumbent party to power since 1985. Interestingly, in the Karnataka Polls 2023, BJP fielded 50 new faces. This election season also saw several leaders, including big names such as former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar, jumping their ship to other political parties after they were denied tickets to contest the polls.