Who’ll be the CM of ‘Namma Karnataka Sarkara’- Siddu or Yeddu?
Mangaluru: On Your Mark, Get Set, Count…? That’s right-the counting has already began to find out the fate of the candidates who had contested in this State assembly election- and among them are the two candidates- Siddaramaiah and Yeddyurappa who are anxiously waiting to see who’ll win the battle, and be athe helm of Karnataka State as its Chief Minister. Depending on the various exit polls conducted by various media firms, both Congress and BJP are relying on those ext-poll numbers- but they may be True or may not. And for that matter, believing firmly on those exit polls, Yeddyurappa has already been to Delhi to speak to higher BJP officials, anticipating his CM post of Karnataka- and hoping that his dream will come true. With several exit polls predicting a hung Assembly, the outcome will be a watershed moment for all three major parties — the Congress, the BJP and the JD(S).
On the other hand, Siddaramaiah has full hopes of congress winning in the state, and he aspiring to be CM again, or he could offer his post to a Dalit person. So whatever the case, it all depends after the final counting is done, which may finish by late afternoon or earlier. Elections for 222 out of 224 constituencies in Karnataka was held on May 12- and the mandate given by the voters of Karnataka will be known once the counting is started and finished. It is learnt that over 2,600 candidates, including 200 women, contested in the elections, which was seen as a direct fight between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP.
Exit polls have predicted that Janata Dal (Secular) — a key regional player that has given two Chief Ministers earlier — is likely to play the role of the kingmaker. In the meantime, election in the Raja Rajeshwari Nagar constituency in Bengaluru has been postponed following the seizure of nearly 10,000 voter ID cards. Election in Jayanagar in the city has also been countermanded following the demise of BJP candidate and sitting MLA Vijay Kumar.
Sources reveal that in case the Congress makes a comeback, the 133-year-old party will break the jinx of no political party retaining power in the State since 1985, when the erstwhile Janata Party formed the government under Ramakrishna Hegde for a second consecutive term. A victory for the BJP will re-establish the so-called charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and well-crafted strategy of party president Amit Shah to bring the party to power, despite the ‘tainted’ tag of its Chief Minister candidate and the Reddy brothers.
In the event of a fractured mandate as predicted by several pollsters, the JD(S) led by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda would play the role of kingmaker. The polls will decide the future of Siddaramaiah, Yeddyurappa and H.D. Kumaraswamy in significant ways. So, “Who will win Karnataka?”. The answer to this question is expected to be known by noon or little later, according to reports. With exit polls divided over who will win Karnataka — ranging from a clear victory to the Congress and clear victory to the BJP, to a hung House — the pending results have generated much interest for this suspense factor.
The counting of votes has begun at 8 a.m., at 38 counting centres across the State, while most results will be out by noon, the leads will be available much earlier. But as of now the million-dollar question is: Who will be the next Chief Minister of Karnataka? If any of the three contending parties obtain a simple majority of 113 seats when the results are announced today, the choice is clear. It will be Siddaramaiah from Congress, BS Yeddyurappa from BJP or for that matter, HD Kumaraswamy from former prime minister HD Deve Gowda’s Janata Dal (Secular).
Opinion polls have failed to provide a clear picture. Some forecast a comfortable majority for Congress, others for BJP. Some others envisage a hung assembly with Congress or BJP emerging the single largest party without a clear majority, in which case the JD (S) could be the kingmaker. So there is no fun relying on these exit-polls, instead wait till the counting is done. But as things are progressing, there are chances that Siddaramaiah may not be made CM again, because there are rumours that the post may be given to a Dalit or Gowda. This time round, if no party obtains a simple majority and the JD(S) supports the Congress, it is certain Siddaramaiah will not be the chief minister.
Sources also reveal that, there could be a third scenario too with Kumaraswamy having announced that JD(S) will not have a truck with either the Congress or BJP and would prefer fresh elections in the event of a hung assembly. If this happens, the state could be headed for President’s Rule? But are we ready for President’s Rule? Unless, the people have voted divisively in favour of one party or the other, a spell of uncertainty seems to be in store. So let’s all cross our fingers and wait, till all the results are out- and till then not to get too excited. Until then, NAMMA SARKARA….will be ?????? SARKARA?