The voting for the Karnataka assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Wednesday. The final voter turnout was above 70 per cent.
Most of the exit polls have given an edge to Congress, either predicting it to be securing a majority or emerging as the single-largest party.
Following the conclusion of election results and the publishing of exit polls, leaders from all political parties have shared their reactions. The counting of votes will take place on May 13.
Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar said, "My first reaction is that I don't believe these numbers (exit polls). I stand by my numbers that we will cross 146 seats. People are highly educated and are looking at larger interests because the double engine has failed in Karnataka. The situation will not arise (to form alliance with any party)."
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Congress MLA Priyank Kharge when asked about his opinion about the exit polls, he said, "The Congress government is going to be in power, we are very close to forming the government. I am sure once the counting is done on 13th May, we will form the government."
Congress leader Jagadish Shettar said the party will get a clear majority.
"Congress will get a clear majority and form the government. According to exit polls, Congress is the single largest party. There is no question of coalition with any other party, especially JD(S)," said Shettar, according to reports. Shettar left the Bharatiya Janata Party right before the Karnataka polls.
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Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai replied when asked about his reaction to exit polls that they cannot be "100 per cent correct" and assured that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will get a majority and form the government and everyone should now wait for May 13.
When BJP leader BS Yediyurappa was asked about the majority of exit polls inclining towards Congress, he said that he is quite sure about the BJP winning with an absolute majority.
Yediyurappa was also asked if BJP had plans for a hung assembly or whether it would consider a coalition government with JD(S). He said that the call will be taken after the results by the leadership.
He also added, "We are going to get 115-117 seats so the question of joining with JD(S) right now does not arise. Let us wait and see."
