May 15, 2018: As Karnataka appeared headed for a hung Assembly today with the BJP set to emerge as the single largest party but falling short of a majority, the Congress today sprang a surprise, declaring it will back the JD(S) in forming the government.
Party leaders described poll results as an endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development agenda and claimed that the people had rejected divisive, toxic and negative politics of the Congress.
BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa has thanked the people of Karnataka for giving this mandate to the Bhartiya Janata Party.
He also said that people have rejected the Congress and accepted BJP but now, despite being rejected Congress is trying to grab power. He added that the party’s leadership will decide the future course of action.
Meanwhile, in a surprise turn of events, the Congress has said it will extend unconditional support to the JD(S) in forming the next government in the state. It is however not yet clear if the Congress would extend support from outside or be part of the new government. JD(S) also said that it has accepted the offer.
BJP Chief Ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa reached Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru. Talking to reporters there, Yeddiyurappa exuded confidence of forming the next government in Karnataka.
Responding to BJP’s victory in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections, senior BJP leader and Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that this is a historic victory for BJP.
Information and Broadcast Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore thanks the public of Karnataka for BJP’s victory in the State Elections; says, the party’s principles have led to the consecutive victories. (DD News)