The BJP has emerged the single largest party in Karnataka, but a last minute political manoeuvre by the Congress and the JD(S) may grab victory from BJP's mouth. BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa hit out at the Congress and the JD(S) and said that "they are trying to subvert the popular mandate. Anti-incumbency is so strong that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lost from Chamundeshwari. This is an anti-Congress wave that has given us a considerable number of seats."
Yeddyurappa, who had won with a high margin from the Shikaripura seat, also congratulated all the BJP karyakartas who had worked hard to ensure the party's victory in the state.
Yeddyurappa finally steps out of his residence to talk to the media. Says: "So far the final figures haven't come. Once the final figures are announced, we will decide future plans."
— Megha Varier (@varier_megha) May 15, 2018
Asked about Congress-JD (S) alliance, says do not want to comment on it. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/5fJL9Pz5rW
Meanwhile, the JD(S) confirmed that they have accepted the Congress's offer to form a coalition government. HD Kumaraswamy wrote to the Governor Vajubhai Vala asking for an appointment to stake claim to the government.
The Congress has said that Kumaraswamy can be the Chief Minister while Congress nominee will become the Deputy Chief Minister of the state.
We had a telephonic conversation with Deve Gowda ji & Kumaraswamy. They have accepted our offer. Hopefully, we will be together: Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress. #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/OemBerpX7r
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018