Introduction
In Karnataka, the Congress party may retake power by unseating the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state elections held on May 10, 2023, according to exit polls done by India Today-Axis My India. The polling for the 224 assembly seats of Karnataka concluded on Wednesday with a 66% voter turnout till 5 pm. According to the poll, the Congress may win 122-140 seats with 43% votes, while the BJP may settle with 62-80 seats with 35% votes. The Janata Dal (Secular) is likely to win 20-25 seats, which is less than what the party had won in 2018.
Congress Ahead in Most Regions Except Coastal Karnataka
According to the poll’s findings, with the exception of coastal Karnataka, the Congress leads the BJP across most of the state of Karnataka. In Bengaluru (17 of 28 seats), central Karnataka (12 of 23 seats), Hyderabad (40 of 40 seats), Mumbai (28 of 50 seats), and Old Mysuru (36 of 64 seats), the Congress is likely to prevail. In coastal Karnataka, the BJP, however, is predicted to win 16 of the 19 seats.
BJP’s Expected Performance in Different Regions
In Hyderabad-Karnataka, where it is anticipated to suffer the most, the BJP may only win 7 of the 40 seats up for election, while it is predicted to win just 10 of the 28 seats in Bengaluru. However, the party may gain ground and increase its vote share by four per cent in Old Mysuru, which is the stronghold of JD(S). The exit poll predicted that the BJP may win six seats while the JDS may get 18 in Old Mysuru.
Different Exit Polls Predictions
While Axis My India predicted a clear majority for the Congress, other exit polls projected an edge for the Congress but no majority. Matrize projected 103-118 seats for Congress, 79-94 seats for BJP, and 25-33 for JD(S). PMARQ’s exit poll gave 94-108 seats for Congress, 85-100 seats for BJP, and 24-32 for JD(S). According to CVoter, Congress is likely to get 100-112 seats, BJP may win 83-95, and JD(S) 21-29. Jan Ki Baat’s exit poll predicted 91-106 seats for Congress, 94-117 for BJP, and 14-24 for JD(S).
Leaders’ Reactions to Exit Poll Results
The Karnataka Congress chief, DK Shivakumar, stated that he does not believe the exit poll numbers and stands by his numbers that the Congress will cross 146 seats. He said that the situation will not arise to form an alliance with any other party. The senior BJP leader, BS Yediyurappa, said that he is confident that his party will form the government with an absolute majority, and the BJP would get 115-117 seats. Karnataka Chief Minister, Basavaraj Bommai, said he is 200% confident that the BJP will come back to power with an absolute majority.
