Daily Briefing: Karnataka Assembly Election results out today; Congress hopeful of comeback as BJP looks to duck anti-incumbency

🔴 With the Karnataka Assembly Election results set to be announced today,  political parties in the state were busy in preliminary discussions over the likely scenarios that may play out. With multiple exit polls suggesting a win for the Congress, the biggest question is with regard to the CM post. The fight is likely to come down to DK Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah. But who has the edge?

🔴 As the elections in Karnataka approached, the Congress was seemingly the biggest beneficiary of leaders moving from one party to another, mostly on account of being denied tickets. The performance of these five political turncoats will be keenly observed today.

🔴 Meanwhile, for the JD(S), the battle goes beyond winning and losing the election. With its tall leaders like H D Deve Gowda and H D Kumaraswamy ageing, 35 seats or so will give the JD(S) another shot at power and a reboot, plus space to groom a second line of leaders.

🔴 Right before the polls, Bengaluru witnessed high-voltage campaigning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. While the former’s roadshows drew huge crowds, the latter interacted with groups of gig workers, students and women passengers. Here’s looking at the two campaigns

Psst! While you’re here, check out our other live blogs: 

Until tomorrow,

Rahel Philipose and Arushi Bhaskar