The exit poll results published by by ABP News and CVoter have predicted that the Congress party is most likely to form the next government in Karnataka, the assembly election of which was held on Wednesday.
The southern state cast its votes in a single phase between 7 am and 6 pm today, and results are due to be announced three days later, on May 13.
The exit poll published by ABP News showed that the Congress is most likely to bag the majority of seats – 100 to 112 – just short of the 113 needed to form a simple majority government, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may secure 83 to 95 seats. Regional party, the Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) may emerge king maker yet again and is expected to win 21 to 29 seats, while other parties may secure two to six seats.
In terms of vote share, the Congress is anticipated to receive 41 per cent, while the BJP is projected to capture 38 per cent of the vote bank. JD(S) is expected to get 15 per cent of the vote share, and other parties will take up the remaining 6 per cent, the exit poll said.
The pre-poll opinion survey conducted by ABP News and CVoter showed the Congress could defeat the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and hold off a challenge from the Janata Dal (Secular) to claim a narrow win in the crucial election.
Karnataka had recorded a voter turnout of 65.69 per cent till 5 pm today, with BBMP (Central) at 50.10%, BBMP (North) at 50.02%, BBMP (South) at 48.63%, and Bengaluru Urban at 52.19%.
