Surveys indicate Cong at top, JD(S) to play kingmaker?

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: With hardly two weeks left for the crucial Assembly polls in Karnataka, no party may be able to cross the magic number of 113 seats in the 224 member Assembly yet according to surveys conducted by different politicial parties and agencies.

The Congress Party which is upbeat about returning to power in the state, is ahead of the ruling BJP by 10-15 seats but could still fall short of a simple majority by around 10 seats, claim these surveys which have given 90 to 102 seats to the Congress followed by the BJP with 80-92 seats, and 20-25 seats to the Janata Dal (Secular). One or two independent candidates are also likely to win.

Two of the surveys were reportedly done by the BJP and three by the Congress. Despite the numbers not being in its favour, the ruling BJP is pinning its hopes on reaching 105 to 110 seats after the second round of the poll campaign by BJP national leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and others.

On Wednesday, Adityanath held a roadshow in Mandya City followed by a public meeting to woo Hindu voters. On Thursday, he will visit the coastal areas of the state. While the Congress Party seems to be supremely confident of getting the required numbers, BJP leaders are optimistic that the current situation will change after the campaign by Modi.

The BJP is also said to be exploring ‘Plan B’ of forming a coalition government by joining hands with the JD(S) in case of a fractured verdict. The JD(S) which has given tickets to many unsuccessul aspirants of the BJP and Congress, could get 20-25 seats which is sufficient to emerge as the kingmaker if no party gets a clear majority. All eyes are now on the surveys likely to be held in the first week of May which would reveal the mindset of voters.