Is Karnataka moving towards a tri-cone situation in the booth return survey? Some polls have put the Congress ahead, while some say the situation could be a three-corner as no party gets a clear majority. In fact, the southern state of Karnataka has been ruling in favor of change for four decades. According to that trend, many surveys put the Congress ahead of the BJP. 113 seats are required for an absolute majority in the 224-seat Karnataka Assembly.
An India Today-Axis My India booth return survey says the Congress is likely to win at least 122 seats in the 224-seat Karnataka assembly. It can even reach 140! On the other hand, BJP could win 62-80 and JD(S) 20-25 assembly constituencies. Independents and others can hold 0 to 3 seats. According to ABP-C voter survey, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharg’s state may go to his party with 100-112 seats.
BJP may win 83-95, JD(S) 21-29 and independents and others 2-6 assembly constituencies. Congress leads in India TV-CNX opinion poll. According to this survey BJP can get 80-89 seats. Congress can get 110-120 seats. JDS may get 20-24 seats. According to Republic TV-P Mark survey, BJP can get 85-100 seats in Karnataka. Congress may get 94-108 seats. JDS may get 24-32 seats. Times Now ETG’s survey has also put Congress ahead.
Most surveys predict the Congress to become the single largest party in the assembly polls, overtaking the ruling BJP. However, it is not certain that the result of such a booth return survey will be found in the election. But no one denies the importance of such surveys to get a glimpse of voter sentiment. In such a situation, the role of Deve Gowda’s party JDS is believed to become important. In that case, Kumaraswamy can take the role of king maker like in 2018. But all speculations will end on May 13, the day of declaration of results.
