Karnataka Assembly Polls 2023 Highlights: The last leg of campaigning for Karnataka Assembly Polls has seen bigwigs from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (Congress) hoping to turn the tide in their favour. While the Congress is banking on an anti-incumbency wave that has worked since 1985, the ruling BJP hopes PM Narendra Modi's popularity will see them through. The prime minister was part of around 15 public meetings and roadshows over six days, giving the BJP campaign a significant push. A total of 113 seats are needed for a simple majority — a feat BJP has never achieved. Notably, today is the last day of campaigning. In all, there are 2,613 candidates in the fray for the May 10 2023 Karnataka Assembly Elections after the last date for withdrawal of nominations on May 1. According to the final list of candidates shared by the Election Commission (EC), 185 women candidates and one from the ‘Others’ category are contesting. While 224 candidates are from the ruling BJP, the Opposition Congress has fielded 223, and the Janata Dal (Secular) has fielded 207 candidates. Counting of votes will be completed on May 13.
‘Congress most corrupt’ advertisement: EC notice to Karnataka BJP
Election Commission asks Karnataka BJP to provide verifiable, traceable facts by Tuesday to prove allegations levelled against the Congress passport.
The EC said: “While general claims and accusations are part of election campaigns, specific allegations and claims about the opponents need to be supported by verifiable and traceable facts. Any claim made without basis and empirical evidence has potential of misleading the voters thereby robbing them of their right of making right and informed choices amongst the candidate thus disturbing level playing field.”
ALERT:
BJPnational leaders have held a total of 206 public meetings and 90 roadshows, while its state leaders have held 231 public meetings and 48 roadshows.
JUST IN:
Election Commission writes to the Congress chief to clarify, and rectify the social media post on Karnataka's sovereignty.
Amit Shah hopeful of BJP win
BJP will form government with full majority in Karnataka, there is enthusiasm for party in every region, says Amit Shah
Bihar Congress files police complaint against Karnataka BJP candidate
Bihar Congress files a Police complaint against Karnataka BJP candidate Manikanth Rathod over his reported "eliminating Mallikarjun Kharge and his family" statement.
"This is very condoning that BJP leader, Manikanth Rathod has expressed his intentions to finish off Mallikarjun Kharge and his family. We have registered an FIR over this," says Congress leader Ajit Sharma.
ALERT:
“We don't have to learn about reservation and Constitution fromAmitShah,” saysKarnatakaCongress President DKShivakumar.
JUST IN:
Congress says BJP charge 'fakery and falsehood', accuses it of denigrating state's 'swabhimaan'.
BJP spreads misinformation to hide inept governance: Congress leader UT Khader
The BJP is spreading lies and misinformation to divert the attention of people from their "inept governance, corruption and price rise", Congress leader and deputy Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka assembly UT Khader said on Monday.
He said the Congress will implement the party’s guarantee scheme for the benefit of the common people. “The BJP’s loss and Congress win in the coming election is also a Congress guarantee," he said.
Khader said he will resign as MLA if all the guarantees are not implemented by an elected Congress government within six months.
Seizures cross Rs 375 crore in poll-bound Karnataka
-- Enforcement teams made seizures totalling over Rs 375 crore in poll-bound Karnataka since the model code of conduct came into force on March 29, the Election Commission said on Monday.
-- The total seizures (Rs 375.6 crore) include cash (Rs 147 crore), liquor (Rs 84 crore), gold and silver (Rs 97 crore), freebies (Rs 24 crore), and drugs/narcotics (Rs 24 crore), the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, said.
-- As many as 2,896 FIRs have been booked with regard to seizures.
Please don’t vote for BJP, they’re dangerous: Bengal CM
“My only appeal to brothers and sisters in Karnataka is that please vote for stability and development. I appeal that please don’t vote for BJP. They are dangerous,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
ALERT:
"Siddaramaiah must clarify..." Amit Shah questions Congress promise to increase Muslim reservation in Karnataka.
Campaigning for Karnataka elections end tomorrow
The high voltage campaign for the May 10 Assembly elections inKarnatakawill come to an end on Monday as all three major political parties in the state --BJP, Congress and JD(S) -- are busy making their last pitch to woo the voters.
The top guns of all the major political parties were on a campaign blitz across the state in the past few days, even as the rulingBJPhas been striving to break the 38-year-old pattern of alternating governments and retain its southern citadel.
JP Nadda on Congress manifesto promise banning Bajrang Dal, PFI
Amid a row over Karnataka Congress manifesto mentioning the ban on Bajrang Dal, BJP chief JP Nadda says, "They themselves mentioned the ban. When they said, people showed them the result. If you use such words to appease someone & decide that the other side should not react, it can't happen..."
BJP will win 130 to 135 seats, claims BS Yediyurappa
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart BS Yediyurappa on Monday predicted that his party would return to power in Karnataka with 130 to 135 seats and Congress leader Siddaramaiah will lose the election from the Varuna constituency.
He also said V Somanna, the BJP candidate in the Varuna Assembly segment had worked day and night in the constituency and would emerge victorious.
Congress accuses poll panel of bias
In the Congress' "preliminary response", party leader and lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi also said the 24-hour window provided by the EC for responding to the notice was insufficient with the Karnataka assembly poll campaign drawing to a close.
The EC had on Saturday issued a notice to the Karnataka Congress over its "corruption rate card" advertisements published in newspapers in the run-up to the May 10 state polls and sought "empirical evidence" to prove its allegations by Sunday evening.
EC notice on 'rate card' ads: Congress accuses poll panel of bias
The Congress has accused the Election Commission of "bias" over its notice on the party's "corruption rate card" advertisements targeting the BJP government in Karnataka and said its leaders are held to a standard that seems reserved only for the Opposition.
BJP files complaint with EC against Sonia Gandhi over 'sovereignty' row
The BJP on Monday filed a complaint with the Election Commission against former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi over the statement that the party will not allow anyone to pose a threat to Karnataka's "reputation, sovereignty or integrity" and requested it to issue direction for registration of FIR against her.
Congress highlights price rise under BJP, appeals to Karnataka voters to defeat 'trouble engine' govt
The Congress hascharged the BJP with allowing inflation to destroy household budgets in Karnataka as well as the rest of the country, and urged the people of the state to defeat its "trouble engine government".
The opposition party gave full-page advertisements in leading dailies listing the rise in prices of essential commodities such as cooking gas, petrol, diesel, rice milk and cooking oil.
Rahul Gandhi takes a bus ride in Bengaluru
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday interacted with college students and working women here ahead of the May 10 Assembly elections in Karnataka.
The former party chief stopped for a cup of coffee at a 'Cafe Coffee Day' outlet on Cunningham Road. At a close-by Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus stop, he spoke to a bunch of college students and working women. Read more
Five-time MLA Yogeshwara vs JD(S)'s Kumaraswamy: It's a 'tight fight' in Channapatna
"There's a tight fight" is the oft-repeated comment of many voters in this segment known for its wooden toys and sericulture, on the election scene in this high profile Assembly constituency.
Channapatna in Ramanagara district is witnessing a high-stake battle between JD(S) leader and two-time Chief Minister H D Kumaraswmy and BJP's C P Yogeshwara. Both belong to the dominant Vokkaliga community in the region. Read full story
Karnataka Elections: With no wave or an issue to swing it, parties repose faith in leaders and manifestos
Nobody seems to have even the slightest inkling about which way voters may swing during the ensuing Karnataka assembly elections, with even pollsters sending out confusing and contradictory signals. The predictions vary from a clean sweep to the Congress or Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a hung assembly. On the ground, however, there is no wave in favour of any particular party. Read more
Congress advocating about 'separating' Karnataka from India, claims PM in his last campaign rally
In a blistering attack on the Congress during his last campaign rally ahead of May 10 Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the party of openly advocating for "separating" Karnataka from India.
The Prime Minister's charge comes a day after former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi addressed a campaign rally at Hubballi on Saturday.
Congress used Muslims only as vote bank, alleges Kumaraswamy
The Congress had only used the Muslim community as a vote-bank, while doing nothing concrete for their welfare, Janata Dal (S) leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has said.
Addressing a campaign meeting for his party's Mangaluru North candidate Mohiuddin Bava at Krishnapura near here Sunday evening, he also charged that the Congress was welcoming hardcore Hindu leaders into the party and accusing JD(S) of having an understanding with the BJP.
No uncertified advertisements during silence period: EC to parties ahead of Karnataka polling
No party or candidate shall publish any advertisement in the print media on poll day and one day prior without clearance from the media certification and monitoring committee, the Election Commission said on Sunday in an advisory ahead of the May 10 voting in Karnataka.
Campaign for the Karnataka assembly elections is set to end at 5 pm on Monday.
Rahul Gandhi meets Zomato, Swiggy delivery agents in Bengaluru over Masala Dosa, coffee. Watch
Rahul Gandhi had a candid conversation with the delivery partners of Dunzo, Swiggy, Zomato and Blinkit in Bengaluru to discuss employment opportunities.... Read More
Karnataka Assembly Polls: Campaign View - Congress
The Congress has kept its campaign on local issues, with initially electionnering led by local leaders -- Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. In the last week, national leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined in. Sonia Gandhi also held a rally on May 6. The aim is to wrest power from incumbent BJP and boost morale ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and Assembly Polls in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The party has set a target of winning 150 seats.
Karnataka Polls: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma accuses Congress of appeasement politics
BJP leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Congress' manifesto has revealed it's "mindset and its hatred for the majority community, culture and dharma of the country". He fursther called the Congress' manifesto a document of appeasement politics.
Sarma said the people of Karnataka who are leaders in IT, biotechnology and agriculture do not need a guarantee from the Congress. "How can Rahul Gandhi, who himself has no guarantee in politics, provide guarantee to the people of Karnataka," he asked.
Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023: BJP got vote in name of religion and came to power, says Bhupesh Baghel
Campaigning for his party in Karnataka, senior Congress leader and Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has criticised the BJP for coming to power by getting votes "in the name of religion" and corruption.
"The BJP does not have a vision. While unemployment and inflation are at their peak, its leaders are busy talking about religion. They got votes in the name of religion and came to power," he charged. "Does the BJP has its own manifesto? Will they apply 40 per cent commission (on government works) in the entire country? They are unsure of the direction the nation ought to take. They are only talking about religion while there is huge unemployment and inflation," he said.
"Since Eshwarappa ji was caught and the matter became public. People have decided that this is a 40 per cent commission government and they have to remove it.... This is public money that the BJP is stealing...." he added.
Karnataka Elections: Eknath Shinde to campaign for BJP
Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde will campaign for the BJP in Karnataka via two roadshows in at Kapu and Udupi town today, on May 8. He will also be making stops at the ri Manjunatha Swamy Temple, Dharmasthala Temple, and Sri Krishna Temple before returning to Maharashtra, sources told PTI.
Congress highlights price rise under BJP, appeals to Karnataka voters to defeat 'trouble engine' govt
The opposition party gave full-page advertisements in leading dailies listing the rise in prices of essential commodities such as cooking gas, petrol, diesel, rice milk and cooking oil.... Read More
Karnataka Assembly Polls: Campaign View - BJP
The BJP's focus has been centralised, with campaigns on 'double-engine' government, PM Modi and achievements of the Centre being highlighted. in fact, since announcement of the polls Modi has visited Karnataka seven times this year so far, and conducted a juggernaut campaign trail last week. His presence in the state has boosted party morale and confidence ahead of the impending polls on May 10.
Other BJP leaders on the campaign trail include Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar, Nitin Gadkari, and other state CMs like UP's Yogi Adityanath, Assam's Himanta Biswa Sarma, Madya Pradesh's Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Goa's Pramod Sawant.
The party is hoping for clear majority this time and has focussed efforts on the Old Mysuru region, where traditionally it has been weak.
Karnataka Elections LIVE: Missing Arvind Kejriwal's presence, says state unit president
AAP's Karnataka unit president Prithvi Reddy on May 7 said leaders and workers are feeling the absence of party supremo Arvind Kejriwal during campaigning. "Of course, we feel the absence of Arvind Kejriwal but that's more of a sentimental issue. Arvind Kejriwal is no longer an individual, he is an idea. The idea of Arvind Kejriwal is very much prevalent in this election because the three other parties have been copying the AAP's narrative," Reddy told PTI.
"Arvind Kejriwal started off the election campaign in Karnataka in March and since then, a lot has happened in Delhi due to which, our leaders were tied up. Two of our senior leaders (former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendar Jain) got arrested who were otherwise taking care of running the government. Hence, Arvind Kejriwal's primary responsibility right now is to ensure that the people of Delhi do not suffer in any way," he said.
Karnataka Elections: Jairam Ramesh recalls 'Kannadiga' identity
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has in a series of tweets slammed the BJP on various issues and asked voters to vote for the Congress to "safeguard the interests of Kannadigas and Karnataka".
"Remember these household names? 1. Vijaya Bank 2. Corporation Bank 3. Syndicate Bank 4. Canara Bank 5. State Bank of Mysore. They were all once a tribute to the entrepreneurship of Kannadigas." The work culture and local knowledge of these banks ensured a better connect with financial needs of the people of Karnataka. Sadly, thanks to Modi Government, they no longer exist as independent entities. The same will happen to Nandini (Karnataka's milk cooperative) if BJP isn't stopped on May 10th. The Congress party guarantees to safeguard the interests of Kannadigas and Karnataka," he said.
In another tweet he also pointed out that the government plans to sell "completely privatise" BEML. "The government currently owns 54 percent of BEML, and now the Modi government is planning to sell another 26 percent stake in it. This means that BEML is going to be a completely private company. Apart from its product line with an important strategic value, it has huge land assets in and around Bengaluru, which is the real reason it is being sold off!" he alleged.
Karnataka Polls: The dangerous consequences of gorging on ‘revdis’
If the Karnataka polls are a template, the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections next year will be a nightmare for the nation’s finances, writes Manas Chakravarty. The Karnataka election is a do-or-die one for the Congress, its last attempt to prove that Rahul Gandhi’s much-vaunted Bharat Jodo Yatra has had an impact beyond the optics. Unfortunately, as has happened in previous elections too, its strategy has been to dole out freebies en masse, he notes. Read full here
High voltage campaigning for Karnataka elections to end today
The top guns of all the major political parties were on a campaign blitz across the state in the past few days, even as the ruling BJP has been striving to break the 38-year-old pattern of alternating governments and retain its southern citadel.... Read More
Karnataka Assembly Polls: Campaign View - JD(S)
The JD(S) fronted by 89-year-old former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda is putting all its might ito emerge as "king" and form the full majority government. The party has run a highly localised campaign, led by HD Kumaraswamy and support from Gowda (especially in the Old Mysuru region), and is looking to re-emerge as an major political force not kingmaker to make majority. And while national parties the BJP and Congress have referred to the JD(S) as 'B Team', Kumaraswamy has focused on the Kannadiga identity, welfare issues, the poor and farmers issues during campaigning.
Karnataka Elections 2023: Congress' Jairam Ramesh attacks BJP for corruption in state
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has launced an attack on the BJP government in Karnataka for rampant corruption and "taking 40 per cent commission in all kinds of work done". Ramesh also shared the party's full page ad, addressing the BJP on price rise and inflation.
"They robbed you of your chosen government. They robbed the state. Then they robbed your savings. The "JhootLoot Double Engine BJP" has allowed inflation to destroy household budgets in Karnataka and the rest of the country ensuring that even the most basic commodities are out of reach for common people," Ramesh wrote on Twitter. He also accused PM Narendra Modi of "never addressing real problems Indians face". "He will only distract and divide," Ramesh alleged.
Karnataka Elections: Defeat 'trouble engine', Congress tells voters, points to price rise under BJP
Then Congress has put out full-page advertisements in leading dailies attacking the BJP on price rise of essential commodities and their 'double engine' government. "They robbed the state. They robbed your savings. Double engine wrecks family budgets. Double engine is double droha (betrayal). Choose wisely," the advertisement said pointing to increase in prices of cooking gas, petrol, diesel, rice milk and cooking oil.
"Gas: 168% , rice: 133%, urad dal: 168%; cooking oil: 250% costlier. 'Trouble Engine' has picked everyone's pocket, has looted the whole of Karnataka with 40 per cent commission. The BJP's government of price rise and stealing will go. The Congress government with 5 guarantees will come," Former party chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted in Hindi with the advertisement. See more
Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 LIVE: Today is the last day for campaigning
All three major parties in Karnataka are looking to be victorious in the state. While campaiging ends today on May 8, parties and their star campaigners ahve been on a electioneering blitz over the past few days.The ruling BJP is striving to break the 38-year-old pattern of alternating governments and retain its southern citadel; while the Congress is working hard to wrest power and make room for itself as main opposition ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls; and the JD(S), led by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, is looking to be the new 'king'.
LIVE:
Good morning and welcome to Moneycontrol's LIVE coverage ahead of the Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023, scheduled on May 10. Today is the last day of campaigning. Counting will take place on May 13.
Stay tuned for the latest news. updates and developments!
