Karnataka election: Exit poll gives BJP clear edge

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) looks all set to emerge as the single largest party in Karnataka with exit poll for the second phase showing it is gaining impressively over the Congress and Janata Dal (S).

The NDTV exit poll for the 66 seats, which went to poll on Friday predicted BJP maintaining its lead by gaining around 32 to 42 seats with a swing of three per cent in its favour.

There is bad news for the Congress, which could end up with just 15 to 20 seats and a negative swing of one per cent.

The JD(S) is also facing a negative swing of two per cent and may get between eight to 12 seats. Independents and others are expected to get two to four seats.

In the first phase, the BJP was expected to win 31 of the 89 seats followed closely by JD(S)30 and Congress 25.

Put together, the prediction for the first two phases has placed the Congress and JD(S) far behind the BJP.

In the second phase on Friday, the fate of 590 candidates, including BJP’s chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa, was at stake.

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