Bengaluru, Counting of votes for the Karnataka assembly elections is underway. The Election Commission has released the trends for all 224 seats. Congress has left behind the majority figure of 113 seats and its candidates are leading in 123 constituencies. BJP is ahead in 71 and JD(S) in 24 assembly constituencies. Independents are leading on 6 seats. The BJP is doing better in smaller constituencies that are typically urban and cover less than 100 square kilometres. Out of 33 such small seats, BJP is leading in 23. As per the latest update, Congress is leading in 41 of the 75 constituencies where more than 80% polling was recorded.

Whereas in 60 constituencies with less than 70% voting, BJP is leading in 35 seats. The state recorded a record 73.19 per cent voter turnout in the elections held on May 10 for the 224-member assembly. Amidst the counting of votes, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi reached Jakhu Hanuman Temple in Shimla to offer prayers. Let us tell you that the Congress in its manifesto had talked about banning the Bajrang Dal when it came to power in Karnataka, which the BJP had made a big issue in its Karnataka election campaign by associating it with Bajrangbali. In this election, the prestige of state Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai, Congress leader Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, HD Kumaraswamy of JD(S) and many other big leaders are at stake.

Bommai, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are leading from Shiggaon, Varuna and Kanakapura respectively. HD Kumaraswamy is now leading from Channapatna seat. BJP General Secretary CT Ravi is trailing from Chikmagalur seat. The counting of votes began at 8 am in 36 centers across the state and election officials are hopeful that the picture of the future political scenario in the state will be clear by afternoon. Most of the surveyors had given an edge to the Congress over the ruling BJP in the 'exit polls'. This is also getting reflected in the trends. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) hopes of breaking the 38-year-old tradition of gradual change of power in the state seem bleak. The chances of Congress getting a positive election result in Karnataka ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are very high.