Karnataka Election 2024 Highlights: Voter turnout recorded at 66.05% till 5 pm across 14 constituencies

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- BJP MP and party's Lok Sabha candidate from Bangalore South, Tejasvi Surya, in an interaction with the media today, said, "The biggest threat to India's Constitution is the Congress party. Starting from the 1st Amendment carried out by Nehru to the imposition of Emergency by Indira Gandhi to many Amendments that were pushed through without even a modicum of debate in the Parliament. Congress has always been a threat to Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution".

- According to the Election Commission of India, two government employees who were in Karnataka for the Lok Sabha polls on Tuesday passed away from heart attacks.

- The dead was named by the sources as 48-year-old Govindappa Siddapura, the headmaster of a government school, who passed away on Monday in Mudhol town, Bagalkote district. According to reports, 32-year-old Assistant Agriculture Officer Anand Telang passed away in Kudumbal, Bidar district.

Here's what Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain said on party president Mallikarjun Kharge writing to INDIA bloc leaders over alleged discrepancies in voter turnout.

"Every political party or candidate who is contesting elections has a polling agent there (at booths) who cross-checks everything with the officials who are there and brings that list. When you compare that list, it is very clear as to how many voters have voted. Why is it taking so long for the Election Commission to announce the final percentages? Congress president has written to INDIA alliance partners to raise this issue and be vigilant about this."

"The way in which this enquiry is going on... not just this enquiry, several new developments are taking place. Yesterday, (BJP leader) Devaraj Gowda released some clippings of discussion between him and DK Shivakumar, how they are misusing the enquiry to make someone a scapegoat," says former Karnataka CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy on Prajwal Revanna case.

'Obscene videos' case involving JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna | Bengaluru: Former Karnataka CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy says, "This govt does not want a fair inquiry. Nothing is going to happen ultimately. They wanted the character assassination of HD Revanna and for that reason, they are using their office...With all documentary evidence, we are going to submit a memorandum to the Governor to take action against this govt. The way this inquiry is going on, it seems this is not Special Investigation Team but Siddaramaiah/Shivakumar Investigation Team..."

"The way in which this (Karnataka) government is running only to malign some people, for that actually they restricted this enquiry (into Prajwal Revanna case). We are going to meet the Governor, and we will submit whatever documents we have with us," says former Karnataka CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy.

Former Karnataka CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy says, "Truth has to come out. DK Shivakumar had said that Kumaraswamy you cannot win. On 26th April, elections concluded (second phase). Still, no action has been taken against anyone. On 26th April, a letter was written to CM by Nagalakshmi Chowdhary, chairperson of Karnataka State Commission for Women, mentioning "powerful leaders involving in it." On 28th, a complaint was prepared and typed in Bengaluru and sent to Holenarasipura and FIR was lodged there, no issues with that. So, CM formed the SIT quickly. I understanding what's happening. I thought SIT would do free and fair investigation. But I readied it's not special investigation team, it's a Siddaramaiah investigation team and Shivakumar investigation team."

Former Karnataka CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy says, "No action has been taken by the Police or Election Returning Officer till now. Who shared the videos and pen drive? When the voting was happening, CM told at least 100 times that HD Kumaraswamy and JD(S) candidates will lose for sure and JD(S) will lose."

Expelled BJP leader K.S. Eshwarappa, accompanied by his family, cast his vote in the Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday. Eshwarappa, a rebel BJP leader, is contesting as an independent candidate from the Shivamogga Lok Sabha seat. A veteran leader who has represented the Shivamogga assembly five times, Eshwarappa's decision to contest as an independent candidate led to his expulsion from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Congress leader Mumtaz Patel exercised her voting rights at a polling booth in Bharuch. The electoral contest in Bharuch includes BJP's sitting MP Mansukhbhai Vasava facing off against Aam Aadmi Party's Chaitar Vasava.

After casting his vote, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge remarked, "I have been casting votes for the last 50 years...In Karnataka, we are going to get a majority, as per the reports of DK Shivakumar. The Bengaluru seat was a little tough for us but we will get clarity once more data is received..."

Across the 14 constituencies in central and northern Karnataka, the campaign has witnessed discussions on various fronts including caste, religion, ideology, gender, economy, and politics.

As the campaign nears its conclusion, the discourse has shifted towards "kaam" (performance of guarantees by the Congress government) versus "Ram" (Hindutva) in a region where the BJP secured a significant victory in 2019. The involvement of rebel candidates and the tragic murder of student Neha Hiremath may influence the outcomes in many constituencies.

- Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge casts his vote at a polling station in Kalaburagi.
- Congress has filed Radhakrishna from Kalaburagi constituency and BJP has fielded Umesh G Jadhav.

After casting his vote, Former Karnataka CM and BJP candidate from Haveri, Basavaraj Bommai says, "I appeal to people to come out and vote and participate in this festival of democracy..."

BJP leader K.S. Eshwarappa and his family cast their vote in Shivamogga. He is contesting as an independent candidate from Shimoga constituency.

BJP has fielded party MP B.Y. Raghavendra as its candidate from here while Congress has fielded Geetha Shivarajkumar.

State Minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge says, "I am very confident that the Congress government is going to be extremely triumphant... The last 10 years of Modi's tenure have been disastrous for India and for Kalaburagi. The people are quite disappointed and this time they will vote for progress."

- An estimated 9.45 percent turnout was reported during the first two hours since voting began for the second phase of Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka in 14 constituencies.

- Queues were seen at polling booths in most of these Lok Sabha segments in the northern districts of state with voters, mostly senior citizens, morning walkers and joggers, lining up to cast their votes early, with temperature expected to rise as the day progresses.

- Voter turnout till 9 am was about 9.45 per cent, election officials said.

Former Karnataka CM and BJP candidate from Haveri, Basavaraj Bommai stands in a queue as he awaits his turn to cast his vote for the third phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

He faces Congress candidate, Anandswamy Gaddadevarmath here. BJP's Shivkumar Udasi is the sitting MP from the constituency.

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Dharwad, Pralhad Joshi speaks on 'obscene videos' case involving JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna. He says, "...It is a very serious case. We urge the state government because they have failed in detaining him. Even though the clipping came out well in advance, they waited for Gowda belt to vote and after they allowed him to go outside. Had they filed the FIR and informed the Central Government, we would have detained him. But they did not do it."

A 100-year-old woman, Guramma, casts her vote at a polling booth in Sindbandagi village of Bidar, Karnataka.

Former Karnataka CM and BJP's candidate from Haveri Lok Sabha seat Basavaraj Bommai awaits his turn to vote at a polling booth.

- Voting in Karnataka is spread across two phases in the ongoing general elections. While the first phase concluded on April 26, the second will take place on May 7.

- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in alliance with the Janata Dal (S), on the one hand, and the Congress, on the other, are the two key parities fighting it out in the state.

- Voting in the parliamentary constituencies of Chikkodi, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga (Kalburgi), Raichur, Bidar, Koppal, Bellary, Haveri, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Davangere, and Shimoga will take place on May 7.

- The battle for Karnataka is being keenly watched after the Congress stormed back to power in the state assembly elections in 2023, winning 135 of the 224 seats. In the 2019 parliamentary elections, the BJP won 25 of the 28 seats.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Bhagwanth Khuba, and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge were among those who came in early to cast their votes in Karnataka, where polling is underway for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in 14 segments on Tuesday.

Joshi and Khuba are BJP's candidates from Dharwad and Bidar Lok Sabha constituencies respectively and they cast their votes in the respective segments.

BJP's Davangere candidate Gayathri Siddeshwara along with her husband, sitting BJP MP G M Siddeshwara, also cast their votes.

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Dharwad, Karnataka, Pralhad Joshi casts his vote in Hubballi.

- Voting commenced at 7 AM today for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections and will end at 5 PM. Umesh G Jadhav (BJP) is contesting against Radhakrishna Doddamani of the Congress. Stay tuned for the latest updates from the Gulbarga Lok Sabha elections.

- The Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka comprises eight assembly segments—Afzalpur, Jewargi, Gurmitkal, Chitapur, Sedam, Gulbarga Rural, Gulbarga South, and Gulbarga North.

- For decades, the Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency has been a stronghold of the Congress party, tracing its roots back to India's first general elections in 1951. Out of the 17 elections conducted since then, the Congress emerged victorious 14 times, solidifying its position as the dominant force in the region. However, the political landscape has witnessed notable shifts with the emergence of alternative political entities, challenging the Congress's longstanding supremacy.

The Dharwad Lok Sabha Constituency is one of Karnataka's 28 parliamentary seats, established during the 2008 delimitation process. It comprises Navalgund, Kundgol, Dharwad, Hubballi-Dharwad East, Hubballi-Dharwad Central, Hubballi-Dharwad West, Kalghatgi and Shiggaon assembly constituencies.

In its electoral debut in 2009, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a significant victory in Dharwad, a trend that continued in the subsequent elections of 2014 and 2019. This consistent success has made the BJP the sole winner in one of Karnataka's relatively newer constituencies.

Shimoga in Karnataka is one of the state's 28 Lok Sabha constituencies. It falls under the General category and encompasses the entire Shimoga district along with parts of Udapi district. The Lok Sabha constituency has 8 assembly segments namely Shimoga Rural, Shimoga, Bhadravati, Tirthahalli, Shikaripura, Sorab, Sagar, and Byndoor.

The constituency has been a bastion of the Yediyurappa family since 2009. In the 2009 general elections, BY Raghavendra won from the seat by more than 4.82 lakh votes and a vote share of 50.58 per cent.

In 2014, Raghavendra ceded the seat to his father and former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, who won by more than 6 lakh votes. In 2019, the seat went back to Raghavendra, who won commanding a vote share of 56.86 per cent.

"I want to appeal to the people to come and vote. Narendra Modi should become the Prime Minister for the third time," says BJP candidate from Bellary Lok Sabha seat B Sriramulu after casting his vote.

On 'obscene videos' case involving JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra says, "...We have already condemned this act. BJP never supports this kind of attitude, this kind of activity. But the manner in which the Congress party is using it, had the Congress party wished, they could have stopped Prajwal Revanna from leaving the country. But Congress didn't do it...They were waiting for the timing. So, Congress has nothing to do with the issue, Congress wants to politicise it...That is very annoying..."

"I was the first one to cast vote in George school. Tuesday is my lucky day. I am confident that BJP will win in Kalaburagi with historic votes," says BJP candidate from Kalaburagi Umesh Yadav as he casts his vote.

After casting his vote, State BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra says, "...Everyone's decision is one and the same - to be with PM Modi...He should be the PM once again in the interest of the nation. So, that is the atmosphere amongst all voters. I am confident that despite there being a Congress government in Karnataka, people support the BJP."

"Independent candidates will not make any difference for the party. This will not have any impact on BY Raghavendra. He has done good work...So, he will win with more than 2.5 lakh votes," he further says.

Former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa and his sons - state BJP chief BY Vijayendra and sitting MP & party candidate from Shimoga, BY Raghavendra - cast their votes at a polling booth in Shivamogga. Congress has fielded Geetha Shivarajkumar and BJP's K.S. Eshwarappa is contesting as an independent candidate.

Former Karnataka CM and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa says, "We are going to win a minimum of 25 Lok Sabha seats. Atmosphere is very good...(BY) Raghavendra will win with a margin of more than 2.5 Lakh votes. There is no doubt about it."

His son and sitting MP B.Y. Raghavendra is the party candidate from Shimoga constituency. Congress has fielded Geetha Shivarajkumar and BJP's K.S. Eshwarappa is contesting as an independent candidate.

It's a straight fight between the ruling Congress and the BJP in these constituencies in the northern districts. The JD(S) is not contesting these seats and is supporting its NDA alliance partner -- the BJP. The state has 28 Lok Sabha constituencies. The first phase of polling in the other 14 seats in most of the southern and coastal districts was held on April 26.

The segments where elections will be held on Tuesday are: Chikkodi, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal, Bellary, Haveri, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Davangere and Shimoga. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJP had won all these seats, defeating Congress and JD(S), who were in alliance and ruling the state back then.

In fourteen Karnataka Lok Sabha seats, voting has started at 7 AM. The Election Commission has begun polling in all 93 seats across 11 states and Union Territories (UTs) where today's elections are scheduled, in addition to Karnataka.

BJP candidate Dr Umesh Jadhav shows the indelible ink mark on his finger after casting his vote at a polling booth in Kalaburagi.

Congress has fielded party chief Mallikarjun Kharge's son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani against him from here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets, "Urging all those who are voting in today’s phase to vote in record numbers. Their active participation will certainly make the elections more vibrant."

“I appeal to all the voters of Karnataka and the country to cast their vote. Your one vote can change the nation for good,” says Union Minister and BJP candidate from Karnataka’s Dharwad Lok Sabha seat Pralhad Joshi.

Voting for the third phase will be held today in 93 Lok Sabha constituencies across 11 states and union territories.

Security preparations, mock polling being conducted in a polling booth of Kalaburagi, Karnataka before commencement of voting. Voting for the third phase will be held today in 93 Lok Sabha constituencies across 11 states and union territories.

Former Karnataka CM and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa says, "We are going to win a minimum 25 to 26 Lok Sabha constituency..."

- Before the May 7 third phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Bengaluru traffic police warned drivers of potential traffic congestion close to the crowded Majestic area. Karnataka will host elections for 14 Lok Sabha today, and a large number of voters from the state's north and centre are probably going to travel outside of Bengaluru to cast their ballots.

- Extra buses have been provided by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) for voters who are travelling to their hometowns to cast their ballots; this large number of buses is anticipated to generate traffic in the Majestic region. Bengaluru traffic police made the following announcement: "An appeal to the public, KSRTC has left additional buses from Majestic / Kempegowda Bus Stand. Due to the second phase of the Lok Sabha election in Karnataka state, a large number of people are going to their hometowns." There might be a build-up of traffic.

- The BJP's leading contenders include former chief ministers Jagadish Shettar (Balgaum) and Basavaraj Bommai (Haveri), as well as union ministers Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and Bhagwanth Khuba (Bidar).

- AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani (Gulbarga) and Congresswoman Geetha Shivrajkumar (Shimoga), the actress's wife and the daughter of former Chief Minister S Bangarappa, are both contesting.

Webcasting will be used to cover 17,000 voting places, and 4,000 micro-observers will also be on duty. The largest number of candidates is thirty in Davangere, followed by twenty-three in Shimoga, while the fewest number is eight in Raichur.

Elections for the Lok Sabha constituencies of Chikkodi, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal, Bellary, Haveri, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Davangere, and Shimoga are scheduled today. The BJP had won all 14 of these seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

On April 26, 14 seats in the majority of the southern and coastal districts were scheduled for polling in the first round of voting. There are 227 contenders in the running for the second round, comprising 206 men and 21 women. In 28,269 polling places where voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., over 2.59 crore individuals are eligible to exercise their right to vote.

- The Congress and BJP will lock horns on the electoral battleground again in Karnataka today, as the stage is set for the second phase of elections in the 14 remaining Lok Sabha seats on May 7.
- It is going to be a straight fight between the ruling Congress and BJP in Parliamentary segments in the northern districts. The JD(S) is not contesting in these seats and is supporting its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner -- the BJP.

Good morning, and welcome to our live blog session covering the Karnataka Lok Sabha Election in phase 3. We're here to bring you all the latest updates and insights from the ongoing electoral process. Stay tuned for real-time coverage and analysis as the voting unfolds in Karnataka!