Karnataka could go horse trading route
JDS with Congress support can form the government, the governor will have to show moral terpitude
In a bid to keep BJP out of the power, the Congress party has offered support to HD Kumaraswamy's JD(S) to form the government in the state. (indiatvnews.com)
Buoyed by the early poll trends, BJP top leadership in the state exuded confidence that the party will make the government with any support, while Congress hinted that it has opened communication channels with JDS. (indiatvnews.com)
BJP has the highest numbers but has failed to get the simple majority to form the government as the tally sits at 104 of the 224 member house in Karnataka.
So if the Governor does call upon the BJP to form the government then it is not going to be the moral high ground approach we will be looking at, but the scraping of the ground approach called horse trading. Where law makers are bought and sold in a marketplace. It is not something new to India and there are many cases in court for it.
Who supported who in Karnataka?
Both central and coastal Karnataka have shown to favour BJP, with the party leading on 18 seats in coastal areas, and 24 seats in central parts of the state. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
In Yeddyurappa's stronghold, BJP is leading on 7 seats, JD(S)+ is leading on 3 seats while Congress is leading on one. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
While the Congress has pitched for Siddaramaiah, the man who is the first to have completed 5 years as CM in Karnataka, as its CM candidate, the BJP is rooting for former CM Yeddyurappa's return. (india.com)
The voter ID card drama
The seizure of 10,000 voter ID cards from an apartment at RR Nagar here on Tuesday afternoon seems to be an indication of this "new craft". (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Moreover, a voter can also exercise his or her vote by producing any one of the photo identity proofs issued by government agencies, if he or she does not have the voter ID card. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
The friends and foes
Prakash Raj wrote on Twitter, "Come tomorrow… I trust and believe Karnataka will not let BJP form the government…It's gonna answer people who are in denial of what the country is waking up to .. WE #justasking are focused to continue to stand by the citizens ..n pressure WHO EVER comes next …to Deliver." (laughingcolours.com)
In a massive twist in Karnataka, the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) could very well be on their way to form the next government in the state, even as the BJP continued to lead in 106 seats, as per latest trends at 2:30 pm. (timesnownews.com)
The seats BJP has won in Karnataka, reflects Prime Minister Narendra ability to garner support and get a following as far as South India. So far people had been questioning Modi and his ability to carry his party to victory across the country, clearing demographic and topographical obstacles.
Kanchan Gupta: And hours before polling begins in #KarnatakaElection2018 janeudhari Shiv bhakt @RahulGandhi and his @INCIndia play… https://t.co/01eLjNABDV - May 11 2018 (Twitter)
Regional parties will continue to play a role
One thing is clear that regional parties will continue having a say at least in South India. UP may have seen the wipeout of the regional players and a majority for BJP a national party but Karnataka is going to keep the regional players still flying high. It is still not certain if the BJP will or not form the government, but it has come very close to winning a majority by itself and that is a good sign of what PM Narendra Modi brings to the table.