Karnataka

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, state President D.K. Shivakumar, senior leaders M.B. Patil, Shamanur Shivashankarappa, Dr. G. Parameshwara, R.V. Deshapande, H.K. Patil are in the race for the CM's post. Though party President Mallikarjun Kharge has clarified that he is not interested in the post, sources claimed that anything can happen. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are in the forefront for the post.

The polling for the 224-member Karnataka Assembly was held on Many 10 after the Congress ran a spirited campaign with five top leaders playing a significant role. From the party's election manifesto to its aggressive campaign, all the points highlighted by the Congress drew immediate attention of the people of the southern state.

Reddy has secured 25,585 votes whereas his closest rival Iqbal Ansari of Congress party polled 19,616 votes. Paranna Ishwarappa Munavalli of BJP polled 11,402 votes. Reddy was leading by 5,969 votes.

Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar are in the forefront for the coveted post and both are looking at the high command for its decision. Siddaramaiah, while answering a question on who will become the CM, stated on Saturday that the high command will take the opinion of newly-elected MLAs.

Shettar had left the BJP and joined Congress after he was denied a seat by the party national leadership. In Hubbali-Central Dharwad, considered to be a stronghold of the BJP, Shettar contested as a Congress candidate.

The trends were available for more than 150 seats. BJP and Congress candidates were leading in more than 70 seats each. Opposition leader Siddaramaiah established an early lead in the initial phase against BJP candidate and Minister for Housing V. Somanna. In Hubballi-Dharwad Central former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar.

The poll results will be out on Saturday. Minister for Large and Medium Industries Murugesh Nirani, Minister for Urban Development Byrathi Basavaraju, Rajya Sabha member Lehar Singh and senior leader A.T. Ramaswamy participated in the meeting.

As per sources, the Congress has already approached S.I. Chikkanagoudar of Kundgol constituency in Dharwad district. There is a direct contest between Chikkanagoudar and BJP candidate M.R. Patil. Acting on reports of Chikkanagoudar's possibile victory, the Congress has already invited him to join hands with the party.

Citing the example of Karnataka where JD-S leader H.D. Kumaraswamy became chief minister by winning only 30 assembly seats, the Jana Sena Party (JSP) leader stated that if people had given him 40 seats in 2019, he too would have demanded chief minister's post.

Speaking to reporters after exercising his franchise, Yash said "it was his right and responsibility to vote". "I have exercised mine. Every voter should come out and vote, that is more important," he said. Asked why he did not take part in campaigning, Yash said that this time he did not feel it was interesting and for that reason he did not step out to take up campaigning for political parties.