Bangalore, May 4 (ANI): Karnataka will go to polls on Sunday, even as media reports suggest that there will be a fractured mandate when votes are counted on May 8. An estimated 2,900 candidates have entered the electoral fray in the state. The Indian National Congress (INC) has fielded 224 candidates for the Karnataka polls, while the BJP has given tickets to 223 candidates. The voting process will begin on Sunday at 7 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Over 1,35,000 security personnel will be deputed for the election, which will see a battle royale for 225 state assembly seats.
Any party seeking to win, has to secure at least 113 seats to obtain a simple majority. Campaigning for the election came to an end on Friday evening. The Election Commission said that it has made elaborate arrangements for Sunday’s elections in the state, including extensive security arrangements. Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha said district administrations have been strictly instructed to follow Election Commission guidelines without fear or favour. He said that the physically challenged and visually impaired voters will be allowed to vote on a priority basis. Polling officials have been told to arrange drinking water at the booth level in view of the peak summer. This time the Election Commission has made arrangements to distribute voters slip with photograph for the convenience of the voters. Additional Director General of Police Bipin Gopalakrishna Hosur said that 9954 hyper sensitive, 14,209 sensitive and 149 naxal prone polling booths will be provided extra protection. As a precautionary measure, 85,338 licensed guns have been deposited with the police stations. The check posts and flying squads have been put on alert to prevent appeasement of voters, he added. Sunday’s elections will be for the 14th Legislative Assembly of Karnataka. As of now, there are no visible signs of party preference, suggesting that a fractured mandate similar to what happened in the 2004 and 2008 polls, can be expected. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has been marred by allegations of misrule and corruption, besides rumors of deep divisions existing within it.
Itt is almost certain that anti-incumbency will creep into the voting pattern and possibly enable the Congress Party to form the next government in the state. State Governor H.R. Bhardwaj is also likely to play an important role in the formation of the next government. Regional parties like the the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Karnataka Janata Party of the former chief minister, B.S. Yeddyurappa are likely to emerge as kingmakers, should either the Congress or the BJP fail to obtain simple majorities. The Congress has refrained from announcing its chief ministerial candidate. Among the frontrunners for the post are Union Ministers M. Mallikarjun Kharge and M. Veerappa Moily. KPCC president G. Parameshwara and Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assembly Siddaramaiah are also reportedly in the race for the top post. The BJP has announced that Jagadish Shettar is its chief ministerial candidate while the JD(S) has reserved that post for H.D. Kumaraswamy. (ANI)