Karnataka Election Results 2023: The counting of votes polled for the 224-member Karnataka assembly polls began on Saturday, May 13, as parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress and JD-Secular, wait with bated breath for the verdict. The electoral fortunes of top leaders -- Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai of the BJP, Congress heavyweights Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, and Janata Dal-Secular's HD Kumaraswamy, among many others will be known today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Congress party for its victory in the Karnataka Assembly polls.
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said: "I thank all those who have supported us in the Karnataka elections. I appreciate the hard work of BJP Karyakartas. We shall serve Karnataka with even more vigour in the times to come."
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday said he will take full responsibility for the BJP's defeat in the Assembly elections, and that the party will function as a responsible opposition in the days to come.
He said Congress' "much organised" election strategy might have been one of the major reasons for its win.
"Election results are in the final stages, I accept the mandate of the people with utmost respect. I take responsibility for this BJP's defeat, no one else has the responsibility. As the chief minister of the state I take the responsibility. There is a need to do the complete analysis of this defeat, as there are various reasons for this," Bommai said.
Congress stalwart Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the outcome of Karnataka Assembly elections will be a stepping stone for the party's victory in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
"I think this election is a crucial election. This result of this election is the stepping stone for the party in the Lok Sabha election in 2024," the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly said, adding, "I also hope that Rahul Gandhi may become the Prime Minister of this country."
Former chief minister BS Yediyurappa's first response after losing the election: "Victory and defeat are not new to BJP. Party workers need not be panicked by these results. We will introspect about the party's setback. I respectfully accept this verdict. I am truly upset with the verdict but we will cooperate for the development of the state."
JD-S leader HD Kumaraswamy concedes defeat. In a Facebook post, he says: "I welcome the order of the people of the state. People's country is final in a democratic system. I accept defeat and victory equally. But, this defeat is not final, my struggle will not stop, always with the people. Congratulations to the great people who blessed our party.
Whether it is for me or for our family, victory is not new. Back in the day Mr HD Devegowda, Sri HD Revanna, and I too had lost. Similarly, when we won, we served people with commitment. In the coming days, I will engage in the organization and work to build a party."
"Good luck to the new government that is going to exist in the state. I wish they would respond to people's mandate. My thanks to the activists, leaders, and candidates who worked day and night for the party in this election. Don't worry for any reason, I'm with you."
Karnataka Congress Chief Shivakumar breaks down while addressing reporters after vote counting trends project a majority for his party. Shivakumar gives credit to party cadre and all leaders for 'victory'.
Meanwhile, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge has said that all newly-elected MLAs have been asked to come to Bengaluru this evening.
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala: "Historic victory for Congress. The victory of Congress came after Bharat Jodo Yatra. It has once again proved that the Congress is there to face Modi. This victory will unite all secular forces."
Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge has termed his party's good show in the Karnataka Assembly Elections as the victory of "Janata Janardhan".
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has reacted to the mandate delivered by the voters in the state.
Conceding defeat, he said, "We have not been able to make the mark in spite of a lot of effort by everyone, including the PM and party workers."
CPM state secretary M V Govindan: "It is good that south India has been freed from BJP. Even though the Prime Minister came and campaigned, it didn't work. The mandate is a strong disapproval of casteism and anti-government sentiment were reflected. It cannot be said that the Congress is coming back at the national level. Each state should be treated as a unit in the Lok Sabha elections. BJP can be ousted by consolidating anti-BJP votes"
JDS candidate HP Swaroop has won the Hassan seat
Jairam Ramesh on Twitter: "As the results firm up in Karnataka it is now certain that the Congress has won and the PM has lost. The BJP had made its election campaign a referendum on the PM and on the state getting his 'ashirwaad'. That has been decisively rejected!"
"The Congress party fought these elections on LOCAL issues of livelihood and food security, price rise, farmer distress, electricity supply, joblessness, and corruption."
"The PM injected divisiveness and attempted polarisation. The vote in Karnataka is for an engine in Bengaluru that will combine economic growth with social harmony."
Siddaramaiah in Mysuru: "We will come to power on our own strength. Congress will win with over 120 seats."
Latest Trends
Old Mysore (64 seats)
Congress 37
BJP 4
Jds 21
Oth 2
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Coastal Karnataka (19 seats)
BJP 15
Congress 4
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Kittoor Karnataka (50 seats)
BJP 18
Congress 29
JDS 3
Former CM B S Yediyurappa's son B Y Vijayendra of BJP is leading in Shikaripura by 8,715 votes against Goni Malatesh of Congress
Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil Kumaraswamy of JD(S) trails in Ramanagara seat by 9,609 votes against Cong's H A Iqbal Hussain.
The Indian National Congress (INC) on Saturday (May 13) posted a tweet with a video of Rahul Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Yatra with the song 'Unstoppable' by Sia playing in the background.
The lyrics of the song which plays during the video are- "I'm unstoppable. I'm a Porsche with no brakes. I'm invincible. Yeah, I win every single game. I'm so powerful. I don't need batteries to play. I'm so confident. Yeah, I'm unstoppable today”.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera has said that Congress will form the government alone.
Terming the unfolding verdict as a booster dose for Congress for the upcoming elections, Khera said the party would not need support from JD-S to gain majority.
Karnataka Congress Chief D K Shivakumar leading in Kanakapura by about 6,000 votes against BJP leader and Minister R Ashoka
JD(S) leader and former CM H D Kumaraswamy is leading in Channapatna by 93 votes against BJP's C P Yogeshwara.
