Karnataka elections 2023 LIVE: Exit polls predict close BJP vs Cong fight

The majority mark in the 224-seat Karnataka assembly stands at 113 seats

People wait in queues at a polling station to cast their votes for Karnataka Assembly elections

Exit polls predict close BJP vs Congress fight. JD(S) is likely to win around 20-25 seats in an aggregate of at least four exit polls predictions.

Most exit polls so far have predicted a hung assembly, however, the majority of them have given a slight edge to the Congress. The predictions also indicate that HD Kumaraswamy's Janata Dal Secular is likely to play kingmaker. The majority mark in the 224-seat assembly is 113 seats.

Voting concludes in Karnataka; 65.69 per cent voter turnout recorded till 5 pm recorded in Karnataka elections on Wednesday. Voting began on Wednesday morning in 224 assembly constituencies in Karnataka. The electors will decide the electoral fate of 2,615 candidates.

Congress party's sitting MLA and candidate from Chittapur assembly constituency, Priyank Kharge alleges that "polling stopped in booth #178 Chamnur village as the Presiding Officer is prompting/influencing people to vote for BJP."

Voting for the high stakes Assembly elections in Karnataka began early on Wednesday, in a state where the ruling BJP is eyeing to script history by retaining its southern citadel while a combative Congress eyes a comeback ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Polling is being held for 224 seats in what is being seen mainly as a three-cornered contest between the ruling BJP, the Congress and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular)

The electoral fate of top guns--Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Congress veterans Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy among others will be sealed during the day-long exercise.

Counting of polled votes will be taken up on May 13.

The voting that began at 7 am amid tight security will go on till 6 in the evening.

8:46 PM

Congress will get a clear majority and form the government: Jagadish Shettar

Congress will get a clear majority and form the government. According to exit polls, Congress is the single largest party. There is no question of coalition with any other party, especially JD(S), said Congress leader Jagadish Shettar, according to media reports.

8:45 PM

I stand by my numbers that we will cross 146 seats: DK Shivakumar

My first reaction is that I don't believe these numbers (exit polls). I stand by my numbers that we will cross 146 seats. People are highly educated and are looking at larger interests because the double engine has failed in Karnataka. The situation will not arise (to form alliance with any party), commented Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar on exit polls, reported Livemint.

8:24 PM

Chanakya predicts victory for Congress

News24-Today's Chanakya has projected Congress's victory in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections with 120 seats while the BJP is likely to win 92 seats. JDS is likely to get restricted 12 seats.

Congress 120

BJP 92

JDS 12

Others 0

8:18 PM

Exit polls predict close BJP vs Cong fight

8:15 PM

Axis My India exit polls result

BJP: 62
Congress: 122
JDS: 20

8:09 PM

India Today-Axis My India exit poll results

BJP: 62-80

Congress: 122-140

JD(S): 20-25

Others: 0-3

8:06 PM

India TV CNX exit polls

BJP 80-90
Congress 110-120
JDS 20-24
Others 1-3

8:00 PM

Two exit polls predict more than 100 seats for BJP

7:50 PM

Times Now-ETG exit poll results

BJP: 85

Congress: 113

JD(S): 23

Others: 3

Total seats: 224

7:29 PM

Congress to win 17 seats in Bengaluru predicts India Today-Axis My India

Congress is likely to win around 17 of 28 seats in Bengaluru while BJP is expected to get 10 seats, predicts to India Today-Axis My India.

7:28 PM

Prediction of ABP CVoter exit poll results

BJP: 88-98

Cong: 99-109

JDS: 21-26

Other: 0

2:37 PM

Karnataka polls 2023: Issues are individuals, keep them in mind and vote accordingly, says Kiccha Sudeep

2:03 PM

Karnataka Assembly polls 2023: Will not form alliance with JD(S), says Congress chief Shivakumar

Karnataka Congress DK Shivakumar on Wednesday dismissed a post-poll alliance with Janata Dal (Secular) JD(S) expressing confidence that his party will get an absolute majority in the 224-seat assembly.

"Here the issue is price rise, corruption, good governance and development. There are no chances of alliance with JD(S). We will form the government on our own," Shivakumar told reporters after casting his vote here in elections to Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

1:43 PM