Karnataka results: Congress vote shares sees 5% jump, BJP logs 2% drop, show trends

New Delhi: Early trends in Karnataka Assembly election results show Congress party as the biggest gainer by recording a jump of 5% in vote share, as compared to previous Assembly election in 2018.

As per Election Commission data, Congress has garnered upto 43% votes in 2023 Assembly elections, as compared to 38.1% vote share in 2018 elections. The remarkable jump of about 5% in vote shares reflects in the number of seats for the grand old party.

Trends show Congress emerging as the single largest party and is expected to attain clear majority on its own. Latest trends show Congress taking lead in 117 seats, which is comfortable above half-way mark of 112 seats.

The counting of votes polled for the May 10 Assembly elections began at 8 am on Saturday.

On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite mounting a high-octane campaign, is seen falling short of vote share in 2018 polls. According to EC results data, the saffron party is losing close to about 2% vote share as compared to 2018 election. The party has got 36.17% vote share this year, as compared to 38.1% vote share in last assembly polls.

The voting percentage of Congress & BJP is reflecting on the number of seats. BJP, which had 104 seats in 2018 elections, is seen getting restricted below 80 seats while Cong surging to more than 115 mark, a gain of about 35-40 seats.

For Congress, this is party’s best performance in Karnataka. Last time, the party gained such big mandate was in 1999 when it fetched 40% vote share.

JD (S), the third key player in the state is seen losing out heavily in terms of seats as well as vote share. The party which got 18.3% in 2018, has fetched only 13% vote share, so far.

The counting began early today at 36 centres across the state amid high security. Karnataka logged a record turnout of 73.19 per cent on May 10 polling for the 224-member Assembly.