The ruling Karnataka Government led by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa even though waiting for bypoll results is in a celebration mood.
The prediction of exit polls by some of the local channels has given a majority to the saffron party which consolidate Lingayat strongman’s position in the State. S Prakash the State media coordinator said they were confident of winning more than 11 seats and expects decimation of both Congress and the JD(S) in Karnataka. He said “we are confident we will win in most of the seats but sure to win in 11 seats which gives us more than majority in the Government. All the exit polls conducted have been predicting a big win for us. This is because of our PMs good work and also the brilliance of our national president Amit Shah.”
For the first time Karnataka has faced 15 by polls at a time and crucial for both the ruling BJP and the Congress which is struggling to keep its identity in Karnataka. Yediyurappa who has taken a challenge and accommodated all the rebels who have contested is confidant of consolidating his position to answer both his distracters inside and in Delhi. Yediyurappa who is leading a minority Government needs seven more seats to consolidate his position in the 224 member house. Two more by polls are pending. The rebels who were responsible for the fall of Kumaraswamy led JDs and Congress Government have all been contesting the polls.
Yediyurappa said he was sure of winning in almost all the places. He blamed Congress and said they have failed to give a good governance along with JDs in the State. His close aides were happy on the predictions of the exit polls and feel that it would help him to consolidate his position in state politics.
The vernacular TV channels for the first time getting into the exit poll business and given full majority to BJP. The exit polls in predict that the ruling BJP will win the majority of Thursday’s by-elections in 15 Assembly segments. Power TV, a Kannada news channel, has estimated a minimum of eight and a maximum of 12 Assembly seats for the BJP.For Congress, it predicted three to six wins in the by-elections and 0 to two seats for Janata Dal (Secular).
Public TV, also a Kannada news channel, predicted 8 to 10 seats for BJP, 1 to 2 seats for JD (S) and 3 to 5 for the Congress.BTV, another vernacular news channel, estimated the BJP to win 9 to 11 seats, 0 to 2 seats for JD(S) and 2 to 4 seats for the Congress. Power TV, a Kannada news channel, has estimated a minimum of eight and a maximum of 12 Assembly seats for the BJP. This will come as a massive booster shot for Chief Minister Yeddyurappa.
In 4,185 polling stations, 37.77 lakh electors, including 4,711 service electors, cast their votes on Thursday, the Election Commission said. On Thursday, the by-elections were held in Athani, Kagwad, Gokak, Yellapura, Hirekerur, Ranibennur, Vijaynagara, Chickballapura, K.R. Pura, Yeshwanthpura, Mahalakshmi Layout, Shivajinagara, Hosakote, K.R. Pete and Hunsur. As many as 248 candidates, 234 males and 14 females, contested the by-elections for 15 constituencies in the state. Counting of votes will take place on December 9.