K'taka: Exit polls predict Cong sweep

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Benglauru: An impressive 70.23 per cent turnout of voters in elections to the Legislative Assembly on Sunday indicated a decisive vote for a change of government in Karnataka, bolstering the prospects of a come-back by the Congress.
As Congress leaders rejoiced the high voter turnout, all exit polls indicated that their party would emerge a winner while the BJP could end up a poor second, followed by Janata Dal (S) and the nascent Karnataka Janata Party (KJP).
The polls predicted a win for the Congress with over 110 seats in the 224 House while the BJP was given 50-60 seats and former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa's KJP, around ten seats. The Deve Gowda-led JD(S) is likely to win 35 to 50 seats.While Congress leaders exuded confidence of forming the new government, leaders of ruling BJP interpreted the high percentage of polling as a favourable factor to help the party emerge as the single largest entity.
Comparing the current polls with elections held in 2008, president of the state unit of BJP Prahlad Joshi said the increase in turnout by five percent was due to increased voting by BJP supporters.
Claiming that his party would retain its hold over traditional strongholds of north and coastal Karnataka, he told Deccan Chronicle “I cannot predict the exact number of seats the party will get, but I can say the BJP will gain more seats than our rival, the Congress.”   
The poll percentage of 70, despite scorching sun in most parts of the state, was higher than figures of 64.91 per cent in 2008 and 65.17 per cent in 2004 respectively. While Haveri district topped the list with 79 per cent (at 5 pm), voters in Bengaluru were none too enthusiastic with the district recording a mere 42.47 per cent (at 5 pm).
This, despite an addition of 14 lakh new voters in the city through a Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Partic­ipation (SVEEP) campaign launched by the Election Commission.
Polls held in 223 constituencies were largely peaceful, but two officials on duty died in Tumkur and Uttara Kannada districts. 
Election in Periyapatna in Mysore district has been put off to May 28 following the death of the BJP candidate.In the current Assembly, the BJP with110 MLAs - three short of a majority – ruled with the support of five Independent legislators. The Congress had won 80 seats, and the JD(S) 28 seats, in elections held in 2008.
Next: Joshi slams exit polls, sure of win

Joshi slams exit polls, sure of win
Notwithstanding the various exit poll surveys, the ruling BJP remains confident that it will emerge as the single largest party after the results on May 8. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, BJP state unit president Prahlad Joshi said, “I have no faith in exit poll surveys as in the past, several exit poll surveys have failed to asses the voters’ mood. I am confident that my party will emerge as the single largest party in the assembly”.The increase in the poll percentage in the 2013 elections will help the BJP, he claimed. While comparing the current polls with the 2008 Assembly elections, he said the increase in turnout by five percent was due to increased voting by BJP supporters.
The BJP president claimed his party would do well in its strongholds like north Karnataka and coastal Karnataka. “I cannot predict the exact number of seats the party will get, but I can say the BJP will gain more seats than our rival, the Congress”, he said.
The Karnataka Janata Party of former Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa is confident of damaging the prospects of its arch rival, the BJP in the elections, said KJP sources. They maintained that the party will get nearly 20 seats and will play kingmaker after the results. Former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa was not available for comment.