Karnataka Elections: BJP Concedes Defeat, Congress Set To Form Next Govt

Bengaluru: Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has conceded defeat in the Karnataka Assembly elections.

Counting of votes is still underway, but according to latest figures on the Election Commission of India website, Congress has won 4 seats and is leading in 129 constituencies. They are thus way ahead of the clear majority mark of 113 in the 224-member state Assembly.

BJP, on the other hand, have won 2 and is leading in 63.

“In spite of a lot of efforts put in by the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and the BJP workers, we have not been able to make the (majority) mark. Once the full results come, we will do a detailed analysis,” chief minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters.

“We take this result in our stride to come back in Lok Sabha elections,” he added.

The focus will now shift on the Congress government formation.

There are two primary contenders for the CM’s chair – Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar.

An emotional broke down in front of newspersons as he recalled Sonia Gandhi’s visit while he was in Tihar Jail on money-laundering charges.

“I delivered… I assured Sonia Gandhiji, Rahul Gandhiji and Priyanka Gandhiji, and (Congress boss) Mallikarjun Khargeji I will deliver Karnataka to the fold,” he said, indicating that he is a contender for the top post.

Veteran Siddaramaiah was ecstatic.

Asked if he would be CM, the 75-year-old said all MLAs’ views will be taken, after which the party’s High Command will take a call.