The electoral predictions made by the various exit polls about the outcome of the Karnataka election seem to have hit bull’s eye.
The Congress has, expectedly, taken a major lead within the first couple of hours of counting of votes. But the trend that has surprised pundits and politicians alike is the revival of the Janata Dal - Secular, which has relegated the Bharatiya Janata Party to the third position.
The JD-S has made inroads in Mandya and Mysore region, where the party is leading in nine out of 12 constituencies.
The party had managed to win 28 seats in this region during the 2008 state election.
This year, the JD-S is not only leading in all 28 seats, but the party is leading in other constituencies as well.
The JD-S is also confident about retaining its seats in the Hassan belt, but it may not be able to make its mark in northern Karnataka, traditionally the bastion of the BJP.
The JD-S was almost written off by political pundits after its dismal performance in the 2008 election. But the party has surprised many with its remarkable recovery this year.
The vocal protests by the JDS on the sensitive Cauvery water distribution issue seem to have paid off rich political dividends.
In spite of its impressive performance, the JD-S is nowhere near to winning the number of seats required to form the state government.
The Congress appears to be inching towards a simple majority and it may not need the help of any other political party.
The JD-S may have to make its peace about spending another five years in the state assembly’s opposition benches.
The party, headed by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and his son and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, may end up garnering the second largest share of votes.
The incumbent BJP, which has been plagued by relentless dissent and endless corruption during its five years in power, will suffer the ignominy of slipping to the third position.
Image: H D Kumaraswamy | Photograph: Courtesy http://hdkumaraswamy.co.in/
