As counting for Karnataka Assembly polls has ended, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 103 seats and is leading is one, emerging as the single largest party. The party stood on the second position with 78 seats, while former prime minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) party bagged 37 seats. Apart from this, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janatha Party and independents won one seat each. The Karnataka Assembly election results threw up an unexpected suspense today, as a simple majority tantalisingly eluded BJP and the quickly proclaimed support to third-placed JD(S) to keep the saffron party out of power. As the results of the poll in the state have left Karnataka Assembly in hung, the final decision will be taken by Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala. All eyes are now on Governor Vajubhai Vala who will have to decide whether to call BJP, the single largest winner of seats, to try to form the government or go with the JD(S)- combine, which together have a clear majority in the 224-member Assembly. Elections were held for 222 seats on May 12. Both sides rushed to meet Vala, their vehicles slowly cutting through the throngs of party workers and supporters assembled outside the Raj Bhavan gates, and staked claim to power. Elections in Karnataka were held at 222 out of 224 seats, on May 12. A party or an alliance needs 112 seats to form the government in Karnataka. Karnataka election result 2018 highlights: * Siddaramaiah wins Badami assembly seat, but loses in Chamundeshwari. * Yeddyurappa wins Shikaripura seat by a margin of over 35,000 votes. * Kumaraswamy wins both Ramanagara and Channapatna seats. A record 72.36 per cent of the 50.7 million (5.07 crore) electorate cast their votes, with 27,908 electors in defence services exercising their franchise through postal ballots. The Election Commission has deployed 16,662 personnel for counting of votes amid tight security. "Postal ballots will be counted first before the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are opened," Kumar said. Meanwhile, four of the seven polling agencies predicted in their exit polls that the BJP would emerge as the single-largest party today. While most exit polls predicted a hung Assembly with the BJP ahead, two said the BJP would either come very close to or cross the halfway mark of 112 seats, while the India Today-Axis exit poll said the Congress might bag a majority. All exit polls gave the H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) nearly two dozen seats or more, which could make it the kingmaker if there is a hung Assembly.

Top 10 developments on Karnataka election 2018 results: 1. How expressions changed at BJP headquarters with Karnataka swings: BJP leaders slammed the Congress for running a toxic and negative campaign and said the people of Karnataka had chosen the BJP's development agenda over the Congress's divisive agenda.

Cut-outs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah are seen at the party headquarters in New Delhi, on Tuesday

But the whole scenario changed in the afternoon as TV screens showed the party's count dropping and that of the Congress increasing. With the BJP numbers coming down to 105 from 120, the drum beats and celebrations stopped and the union ministers as well as the party's national spokespersons left the headquarters.

The smiles on the faces of party workers also dimmed but they drew satisfaction from the BJP emerging as the single-largest party with 104 seats.

The smiles again returned to the party office after Narendra Modi and Amit Shah came to mark the party's performance.

2. Learning from mistakes, Congress acted swiftly to be in race for power in Karnataka: Learning from past mistakes, the Congress today moved swiftly to remain in the game as it extended support to JD(S) to form a government in Karnataka after the BJP failed to get a simple majority.

The move is seen as an attempt by the beleaguered party to save yet another state from slipping out of its kitty. The Congress currently rules Punjab, Mizoram and Puducherry.

Today's step will also help provide a major boost to the "sagging morale" of the Congress ahead of state assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where the party sees an opportunity to upstage the BJP, and 2019 general elections.

Unlike in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya, where the Congress failed to form its government despite securing the highest seats, it forged a quick post-poll alliance with the JD-S in Karnataka and staked claim to government formation.

Sensing a clear opportunity, the Congress leadership took a quick call to let go of the post of chief minister, which it offered to JD-S that lapped it up immediately.

Sources said that Congress president Rahul Gandhi discussed the issue with Sonia Gandhi and decided to play out the card of offering chief ministership to HD Kumaraswamy, the son of JD-S supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda.

3. AAP draws a blank in Karnataka polls: AAP candidates forfeited deposit in all 29 seats the party contested in Karnataka, giving yet another jolt to its attempts to spread its wings outside Delhi and Punjab.

Prithvi Reddy, AAP's Karnataka convenor, who took on Congress heavyweight K J George from the Sarvagnanagar Assembly constituency, could barely manage 1,861 votes coming a distant fourth.

"We were washed out but I cannot understand why. We got a lot of support but that could not be converted into votes," said Reddy, who had resorted to door-to-door campaign, usually undertaken by the party citing lack of resources.

Of the 29 seats, the party had contested 18 in Bengaluru and 11 in the other parts of the state.

4. Narendra Modi, Amit Shah address party workers at BJP headquarters in Delhi: BJP President Amit Shah expressed confidence that BJP would surely come to power in Karnataka. He said, "This is the 15th election. BJP has already won the last 14 elections. This is the 15th consecutive election where BJP is going to win."

He further added, "In 2019 we will not only form the govt under the leadership of Modi Ji but also form a New India in 2022." Slamming Congress, Amit Shah said, "I don't know by which analysis is Congress happy. They have lost the elections. Their sitting chief minister could hardly retain the safe seat and lost badly from his traditional seat, if this is not a loss I don't know what is," Shah said, according to Firstpost.

I am happy about #Karnataka's victory but on the other hand, I am saddened by the loss of lives in Varanasi. I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased & assure that the government will do whatever it can to support these families: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/1HkDrH0342 — ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018 Modi started off his speech by condoling the loss of lives in Varanasi bridge collapse. Further, he congratulated BJP workers' victory in Karnataka.

He further attacked the Congress party and said it is trying to come to power in the state by forming an alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular), despite facing rejection.

rejecting the mandate of the people, the party is hurting India's Constitution for its political interests. The Prime Minister further said that by

"No one could have imagined that in this election, Congress would do an act to hurt India's Constitution only for its political interests," he said.

The Prime Minister also said that the Karnataka elections are proof that the BJP is not a party for only Hindi speaking states.

ALSO READ: Post-assembly verdict, BJP legislature party to meet tomorrow "They said the BJP is a party of Hindi speaking states. Are Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, the northeastern states of Hindi speaking states? No, BJP represents India and our proud diversity," Prime Minister Modi said.

Karnataka polls seat tally. Source: EC

According to official Election Commission figures as of 10:23 pm, the BJP was leading in 1 seat and had won 103 seats, the Congress was leading in none and had won 78, the Janata Dal (Secular) had won 37 seats and was leading in none. The Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janatha Party had won one seat, the Bahujan Samaj Party won one seat, and the independents had won one seat.A BJP win would bring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah a step closer to achieving their dream of a 'Congress-mukt' India. The BJP's victory in Karnataka would also open for it "the gateway to southern India".</s>[India] May 14 (ANI): Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on Monday said that winner of Karnataka elections will win 2019 polls.

Talking to media here, Ramdev said, "Karnataka elections will give a new direction to Indian politics. The winner of Karnataka elections will have the capability of winning elections in 2019."

Ruling Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, and Janata Dal (Secular) mainly fought high-profile Karnataka elections, voting for which took place on May 12.

Out of 225-Karnataka Assembly segments, 222 went to the polls. Elections in Bengaluru's constituencies - Jayanagar and Rajarajeshwari Nagar - were postponed.

The votes will be counted on Tuesday. Some psephologists have said the Congress will emerge as a single largest party; some gave the single largest party tag to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Most exit polls have predicted that former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda led Janata Dal (Secular) will be a Kingmaker as there will be a hung assembly. The Karnataka Assembly has 224 seats and a party or an alliance needs 113-seats to form the government. The Congress had won 122 seats and the BJP 40 seats in the last Karnataka Assembly election in 2013. (ANI)</s>NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India’s ruling party was leading on Monday but was short of an outright majority as votes were counted from an election in a big southern state seen as a gauge of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity ahead of general elections next year.

Karnataka, currently ruled by the Congress party, is home to the technology hub of Bengaluru. It is the first major state electing an assembly this year and will be followed by three more.

Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party was leading in 95 seats in the elections to the 225-seat state assembly, versus 77 for Congress, the Times Now news channel said. Another channel, CNN News 18, showed the BJP leading in 104 seats and Congress in 60.

The BJP now rules 21 of India’s 29 states.

A regional group, Janata Dal (Secular) together with smaller ally the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), was leading in 41 seats and is likely to play kingmaker if no party emerges a clear winner.

Janata Dal leader H.D. Deve Gowda said his party would decide its position “once all the results are out”, CNN News 18 quoted the former Indian prime minister as saying.

Investors are watching the contest closely as they worry a loss for Modi would force him to double down on populist measures, such as extending farm loan waivers a year before the 2019 elections.

India’s benchmark NSE Index extended gains to nearly 1 percent as the BJP improved its tally.

If Modi failed to capture Karnataka, a state of 66 million people, that would re-energize Congress under Rahul Gandhi, the fifth-generation scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that is trying to exploit dissatisfaction over a lack of jobs for young people and rising fuel prices.

Both Gandhi and Modi addressed rallies across the state to drum up support.</s>Counting of votes for the Karnataka state assembly election began. Elections were held on Saturday in 222 out of 224 assembly constituencies in 58,546 polling stations in the state.

A total of 2,654 candidates, including 216 women candidates were in the fray for the Assembly Elections this year.

The elections in Karnataka are being viewed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its gateway into the South.

Since the 2014 general elections, the Congress party has been defeated by the BJP in over a dozen states, drastically shrinking its political footprint.

Today's vote count will decide the political fate of key players like Siddaramaiah, B.S Yeddyurappa, Malikarjun Kharge, and H.D Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy.

The BJP is leaving no stone unturned to evict the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka and is looking to come back to power in the state with B.S. Yeddyurappa as its chief ministerial candidate. Interestingly, no incumbent government has been ever re-elected in Karnataka since 1985.

The Janata Dal (Secular) is also looking to establish itself once again in Karnataka politics and is expected to give a tough fight to both the BJP and the Congress.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded 223 candidates, while the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) fielded 222 and 201 candidates respectively.

Out of the 224 seats, 36 of them are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs), while 15 of them are for Scheduled Tribes (STs).

The elections in two constituencies, Jayanagar and Rajarajeshwari Nagar, both in Bengaluru have been postponed earlier.

In Jayanagar, polling was deferred due to the death of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate B N Vijay Kumar on May 4. In Rajarajeshwari Nagar, polling was postponed after a bundle of fake voter identity cards was retrieved from a flat in Bengaluru's Jalahalli locality by EC officials on May 8.

In a bid to curb the distribution of cash, liquor and other items to swing electoral process, the Election Commission deployed three flying squads in every constituency, 154 general observers, 136 expenditure observers, 34 police observers, 10,000 micro observers, 3.2 lakh polling personnel and members of the central police forces at all polling stations.

However, the election-governing body noted that a marginal percentage of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) failures were reported.

Exit polls have said the Congress, led by Siddaramaiah, will emerge as the single largest party, while others gave the single largest party tag to the BJP. Most exit polls have predicted that former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda led-JD(S) could emerge as the kingmaker if the result ends up showing a hung assembly.

India Today-Axis My India exit poll has predicted that the Congress is likely to win 106-118 seats with 39 percent vote share and will be the single-largest party in Karnataka.

India TV-VMR exit poll has predicted hung assembly in Karnataka. It says that the Congress is likely to get 97 seats, the BJP 87, the JD(S)+ 35, others 3 seats.

ABP C-Voter exit poll has predicted 101-113 seats for the BJP, claiming that the saffron party is likely to reach the 'magic figure' of 113 seats. It predicts 82 to 94 seats for the Congress, while the JD(S) and others will get 18-31 seats and 1 to 8 seats respectively.

Republic TV-Jan ki Baat exit poll has said that the BJP is likely to emerge as the single largest party with 95-114 seats. It has given 73-82 seats to the Congress, 32-43 seats to the JD(S) and 2-3 seats to others.

According to Times Now-VMR exit poll, the Congress is likely to be the single largest party with 90-103 seats, the BJP second largest party with 80-93 seats. It said that the JD(S) will win 30-39 seats and others 2-4 seats.

NDTV's exit poll said the BJP will be single largest party with 98 seats, the Congress second largest party with 88 seats, and the JD(S) will be a kingmaker with 33 seats.

NewsX-CNX exit poll has claimed that the BJP is set to be elected as the single largest party in the state, with close to 102-110 seats, followed by the Congress with 72-78 seats and the JDS with 35-39 seats.

The Congress had won 122 seats and the BJP 40 seats in the last Karnataka Assembly election in 2013.</s>IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being felicitated by BJP leaders, from left, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nitin Gadkari, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Sushma Swaraj after the party's performance in Karnataka assembly elections 2018, in New Delhi, on Tuesday.

With the Bharatiya Janata Party staking claim to form government in Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that his party will not allow the state's development journey to be trampled upon, terming the assembly poll results an 'unparalleled and unprecedented win'.

The BJP has emerged as the single largest party but fallen short of a majority in the state assembly, and its rivals -- the Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular -- have joined hands also to stake claim to form the new government.

"I want to assure the people of Karnataka that the BJP will not allow the state's development journey to be trampled upon. It will not lag behind for ensuring the state a bright future," he said in an address to party leaders and workers at its headquarters.

Attacking those for spreading 'lies' that the BJP is a party of north India despite it forming governments in non-Hindi speaking states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Assam among other states, Modi said people of Karnataka have given a befitting reply to those with such a 'distorted' mindset.

"This is an unparalleled and unprecedented win," he said.

Without naming the Congress, Modi targeted it, saying a party, which ruled the country for decades, has damaged the Constitution and the country's federal structure by pitting north India against south India and spreading tensions between the Centre and states.

Elections happen but the attempts to harm institutions is a matter of concern, he said.

He also referred to the recovery of close to 10,000 voter identity cards in the state to target the opposition party and said some of its deeds was found out, some might have been not.

A case was registered against the Congress candidate there with the Election Commission deferring poll in that constituency.

Citing the response of people to his rallies during which they urged him to continue speaking in his language, the prime minister said some 'fissiparous forces' may not like him but they should sense the mood of the masses.

During his visits to different states, he would often think about how to overcome the language barrier and convey his message to the people but the people of Karnataka gave him so much love that it was never an issue, he said.

Modi also showered praise on BJP chief Amit Shah, who was present in the meeting, and said his excellent strategy has led the party to one win after another. Party workers could draw lesson from his hard work, he said, referring to his gruelling schedule in the state during the campaign.

The prime minister also voiced his anguish at the flyover collapse incident in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi. A portion of the under-construction flyover collapsed there, killing at least 16 people while more were feared trapped under the debris, officials said.

The Centre is mobilising all resources, including the Army, for relief and rescue efforts, he said, adding that he had also spoken to Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath.</s>Bengaluru: Union Minister for Oil and Petroleum Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda will attend a party meeting here in Karnataka on Wednesday as Bharatiya Janata Party's observers.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at 11 am on Wednesday to discuss the state assembly election results announced a day before.

The BJP which managed to gain a hold on 104 seats has emerged as the single largest party but has failed to cross the half-way mark of 112 in the 224-member assembly.

On the other hand, Congress and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), with 78 and 38 seats respectively, are staking claim to form a government in the state. On Tuesday, outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah even said JD (S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, will be the next chief minister. Further, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief ministerial candidate B.S. Yeddyurappa said he is going to meet the state's governor to request him to allow his party to form the government. All eyes are now set on Karnataka's Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala. As per the constitutional provision, the single-largest party is invited to form the government in the case of a fractured mandate.</s>Bengaluru: The counting of votes for the keenly contested Karnataka Assembly elections 2018 has begun and initial trends/results have started pouring in on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. As per the available trends, BJP, Congress are neck-and-neck. HD Deve Gowda's JD(S) is fast emerging as a kingmaker in the closely contested assembly elections here. Here the latest updates for Nippani, Chikkodi-Sadalga, Athani, Kagwad, Kudachi, Raybag, Hukkeri, Arabhavi, Gokak, Yemkanmardi, Belgaum Uttar, Belgaum Dakshin, Belgaum Rural, Khanapur and Kittur assembly constituencies.

Watch the live streaming of Karnataka assembly election results 2018 on Zee News

Out of 225 Karnataka Assembly segments, 222 went to the polls on May 12. The election in Raja Rajeshwari Nagar seat was delayed to May 28 due to the recovery of a large number of voter ID cards. The election in Jayanagar segment was countermanded in the wake of the demise of BJP candidate BN Vijaya Kumar on May 4. The Karnataka election results 2018 are significant for the ruling Congress as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is hoping to make a comeback in this southern state. Several exit polls have earlier predicted a hung Assembly with no major political party seem to be gaining a clear majority in the state. In such a scenario, HD Deve Gowda's JD(S) is likely to emerge as a kingmaker since its support would be crucial in government formation in Karnataka.

At present, the majority mark is 112 as results will be declared for only 222 seats. While Karnataka Assembly has 225 seats, voting takes place for 224 constituencies as one is a nominated member from the Anglo-Indian community.

A total of 2,655 candidates are in the fray for the 224 seats in Karnataka Assembly. Among the candidates are four sitting and former chief ministers - the current CM Siddaramaiah, former BJP chief ministers BS Yeddyurappa and Jagdish Shettar, and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy. There are 219 women, too, among the aspirants. While the BJP is contesting in all 224 seats, the Congress put up candidates in 222 and the JDS in 201 seats.

According to the state Chief Electoral Officer Sanjeev Kumar 72.13 percent voters came out to exercise their franchise which is the highest in the Karnataka Assembly elections since the 1952 state polls.</s>Bengaluru: The counting of votes for keenly contested Karnataka Assembly elections 2018 has begun and initial trends/results have started pouring in on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. As per the available trends, BJP, Congress are neck-and-neck. HD Deve Gowda's JD(S) is fast emerging as a kingmaker in the closely contested assembly elections here. Check here for detailed results and live updates on Anakagiri, Gangawati, Yelburga, Koppal, Shirahatti, Gadag, Ron, Naragund, Navalgund, Kundgol, Dharwad, Hubli-Dharwad East, Hubli-Dharwad Central Hubli-Dharwad West, Kalaghatagi assembly constituencies.

Watch the live streaming of Karnataka assembly election results 2018 on Zee News

Out of 225 Karnataka Assembly segments, 222 went to the polls on May 12. The election in Raja Rajeshwari Nagar seat was delayed to May 28 due to the recovery of a large number of voter ID cards. The election in Jayanagar segment was countermanded in the wake of the demise of BJP candidate BN Vijaya Kumar on May 4. The Karnataka election results 2018 are significant for the ruling Congress as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is hoping to make a comeback in this southern state. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is facing a tough battle to ensure Congress returns to power. The veteran Congress leader had on Sunday expressed confidence that his party will retain power in the state and added that this was his last election. He is contesting from two seats - Chamundeshwari and Badami.

Several exit polls have earlier predicted a hung Assembly with no major political party seem to be gaining a clear majority in the state. In such a scenario, HD Deve Gowda's JD(S) is likely to emerge as a kingmaker since its support would be crucial in government formation in Karnataka.

At present, the majority mark is 112 as results will be declared for only 222 seats. While Karnataka Assembly has 225 seats, voting takes place for 224 constituencies as one is a nominated member from the Anglo-Indian community.

A total of 2,655 candidates are in the fray for the 224 seats in Karnataka Assembly. Among the candidates are four sitting and former chief ministers - the current CM Siddaramaiah, former BJP chief ministers BS Yeddyurappa and Jagdish Shettar, and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy. There are 219 women, too, among the aspirants. While the BJP is contesting in all 224 seats, the Congress put up candidates in 222 and the JDS in 201 seats.

According to the state Chief Electoral Officer Sanjeev Kumar 72.13 percent voters came out to exercise their franchise which is the highest in the Karnataka Assembly elections since the 1952 state polls.</s>Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy has written to Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala seeking an appointment with him after the party accepted the Congress’ support to form the government. The Assembly election results showed the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party was falling short of a majority.

However, the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate, BS Yeddyurappa, too has secured an appointment with the governor at 5 pm.

At 4.55 pm, the BJP held leads or wins in 104 seats. The Congress was ahead or had won in 78 seats and the JD(S) in 37. A party or an alliance needs 112 seats to form the government.

Vala, who became Karnataka governor in September 2014, vacated his Rajkot-II seat in 2001, when Narendra Modi contested the Assembly elections for the first time. A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh worker, he was first fielded by the BJP from the constituency in the 1985 Assembly elections, The Indian Express reported. He went on to win from the seat seven times.

Vala was also the finance minister for nine years during Modi’s term as the chief minister of Gujarat. From 2005 to 2006, he also led the party unit in Karnataka. Vala is a man of principles, his family physician Batuk Parsana told The Indian Express.</s>Counting of votes is underway for the Karnataka assembly elections, which pollsters have said would likely go down to the wire, with a neck and neck race between the state's ruling Congress and challenger Bharatiya Janata Party.

Several exit polls have predicted a hung assembly, and said former prime minister H D Deve Gowda's Janata Dal-Secular would play the role of the kingmaker.

For constituency-wise details on map, click HERE
The ruling party of India, the Bharatiya Janata Party, wins plurality in state assembly elections in Karnataka.