Even as voting began on a dull note in Karnataka, leaders from across parties expressed confidence about their performance in the ongoing elections.
K S Eshwarappa, who faces a tough battle in Shimoga, is contesting on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket. He said that the scenario has changed for the BJP. “We will get over 110 seats this time,” he added.
B S Yeddyurappa, the former BJP leader who has floated his own party -- Karnataka Janata Party, said that he is not a kingmaker. “I will be the king as my party will get an absolute majority. We will form a government on our own.”
Siddaramaiah pitched to be the chief minister if the Congress came to power with an absolute majority. “The Congress has the advantage and we will form the government on our own.”
He was also quick to add that he is an aspirant for the chair of the chief minister. “We will get 125 seats as per our calculations. Contrary to rumours we are not in talks with any other party including the KJP. We will have the numbers to form a government on our own,” he said.
H D Kumaraswamy, the Janata Dal-Secular strongman, who is contesting the Ramnagar seat (50 km from Bangalore) said that his party could form the government in the state. “However, if we fall short of the majority we will sit in the opposition. We do not want to have any venture with other parties, as we had a bad experience in the past both with the BJP and the Congress.”
Rediff Sentimeter: Which way will Karnataka swing?
Complete Coverage: Battleground Karnataka
