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ELECTIONS '96

Exit Poll: BJP gains at JD's expense in Karnataka

Karnataka voters have decided to teach the feuding Janata Dal a lesson, if the Doordarshan Exit Poll is to be believed. Last time, Karnataka sent 16 Janata Dal members to the Lok Sabha, on the strength of which H D Deve Gowda became the first Kannadiga to become prime minister of India.

Now, as per the exit poll, the Janata Dal will win only 2 seats. Its voting share will drop steeply by 10 per cent to a mere 25 per cent. Certainly the feuds between the various JD factions has proven very expensive.

The BJP, allied to the Ramakrishna Hegde's Lok Shakti, is expected to sweep the state, winning 17 seats. Its vote share will go up to 37 per cent, a terrific rise of 12 per cent.

The Congress also gains, but not to the same extent. It is likely to win 9 seats, a rise of 4; its vote share will be 31 per cent, an increase of one per cent.

It would appear that the BJP and the Janata Dal have reversed their roles this time round, in terms seats won and voting share garnered.

Elections '98

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