Bangalore, May 5,2013;
After an intense campaign that saw sparks fly, state is all set for the high-stake assembly polls on Sunday amid elaborate security arrangements.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi led the Congress charge, while Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi spiced up the counter-attack by the ruling party. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Minister Kapil Sibal, Chiranjivi, BJP top leaders L K Advani, Rajnath Singh, Varun Gandhi, Arun Jaitly, Sushma Swaraj, Uma Bharathi and others pitched up the campaign.
In the 2008 elections, BJP secured 110 seats, three short of majority, and went on to form the government with the help of five independents who were made Ministers. The Congress bagged 80 seats and the JDS 28.
The BJP secured 33.86 per cent, compared to the Congress’ 34.59 per cent and JDS 19.13 per cent in 2008 polls.
While the overall voter turnout was 64.91 per cent in the 2008 elections, the average in the 28 segments of Bangalore was a low 47.3 per cent. The lowest in Bangalore was in Sarvajnanagar at 35.40 per cent.
The Election Commission and a number of NGOs carried out vigorous campaigns in recent days to boost the voter turnout.
The Election Commission on Saturday announced extension of polling time by an hour up to 6 PM in Sunday’s Karnataka Assembly elections, in view of the weather conditions and excessive heat. Prohibition on publication of exit polls has also been extended till 6:30 PM.
Indian National Congress (INC) has fielded 224 candidates for the Karnataka polls, while the BJP has given tickets to 223 candidates this time. The counting of votes will be taken up on May 8. ENN
