Karnataka Election results: Counting of votes begins
For weeks, politics in India focused only on the southern state of Karnataka. After a campaign by political heavyweights, the state went into polling on Saturday. The counting for elections has begun at 8 AM, today, to finally answer the biggest question: Will CM Siddaramaiah make a comeback? But why is Karnataka so important? Allow us to tell you all details that matter.
Why 'kingmaker' JDS matters to both BJP and Congress
222 candidates of BJP and 222 of Congress contested in the elections, and 200 of Janata Dal (Secular), making the regional party the 'kingmaker'. Ahead of the results today, both the national parties are reported to have backroom talks with Deve Gowda's JDS. To form a government in the 224-member state assembly, a party needs at least 112 seats.
Looking back at history: Will tables turn this year?
The BJP met an unforgettable defeat in 2013 Karnataka elections by winning only 40 seats, while Congress won 122 seats. JDS, like BJP, secured only 40 seats. In 2008, BJP, Congress, and JDS won 110, 80, and 28 seats respectively. The BJP won 79 seats in 2004, Congress won 65 and JDS 58. In 1999, Congress secured 132 seats, and BJP settled for 44.
Let's talk money: Apparently, Congress's candidates are extremely rich
Out of the contesting candidates, 883 are crorepatis [208 (BJP) + 207 (Congress) + 154 (JDS)]. The top three richest candidates are from Congress. Priya Krishna, who is contesting from Govindarajanagar has assets worth Rs. 1,020 crore. N. Nagaraju has assets of Rs. 1,015 crore. He is contesting from Hoskote. The assets of Kanakapura candidate D.K. Shivakumar are worth Rs. 840 crore
83 candidates of BJP face criminal charges
Shockingly, 391 candidates contesting in elections face criminal charges. BJP has the maximum, its 83 candidates face criminal charges. 58 of them have serious cases like murder against them. Criminal cases were filed against 59 of Congress candidates out of which 32 have serious cases. 29 candidates of JD(S) have serious criminal cases against them. A total of 41 JD(S) candidates face criminal charges.
Will Karnataka wake up to a better tomorrow?
The biggest constituency area-wise in the state is Halyal and the smallest Dasarahalli. Electorate wise, the biggest constituency is Bangalore South and smallest Sringeri. For the elections, that has definitely set the tone for 2019, 356,552 polling personnel were deployed. All that is left to know is- will Karnataka turn to better days? Or parties just forget their promises after winning?
