Karnataka Elections 2023: Stage set for high-stakes Karnataka Assembly elections

The BJP looks to script history to retain its southern citadel while a combative Congress eyes a comeback as Karnataka goes to polls on Wednesday at the end of a high octane campaign that was marked by a plummeting level of public discourse and grew increasingly shrill over the Bajrang Dal issue.

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday accused the Congress of "peddling a divisive policy" to weaken the country over its social media post on Karnataka's sovereignty attributed to party leader Sonia Gandhi. Rijiju's remarks came a day after the BJP moved the Election Commission over the issue seeking an FIR against Gandhi and her party's derecognition.

The Karnataka State Contractors’ Association has appealed to the people to cast their vote in accordance with their conscience, while reminding them that corruption has reached frightening levels in the state that votes on Wednesday. The KSCA President D Kempanna had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that contractors had to shell out 40 per cent commission in public projects, a charge which the Congress had made it a key campaign issue to target the ruling BJP in Karnataka. On Tuesday, Kempanna said corruption has reached frightening levels in the state.

On the eve of polling in Karnataka, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday appealed to voters, especially first-timers, to come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. Karnataka has more than 5. 3 crore electors, including 11. 71 lakh first-time voters, spread across 224 constituencies. He urged the young and urban voters to take inspiration from elderly voters like 103-year-old Mahadeva Mahalinga Mali and participate actively in the "festival of democracy, defeating the prevalent trend of urban apathy in the state".

The Congress on Tuesday petitioned the Election Commission seeking immediate action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his appeals to Karnataka voters "in violation" of the model code, and said it was "a litmus test" for the poll body's capacity and willingness to enforce laws. In a lengthy complaint to the chief election commissioner, Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala asked the commission whether it will remain a "mute and helpless spectator" or fulfil its constitutional duty and act against the prime minster.

"I think people will change the current govt and will bring the Congress govt. People are very enthusiastic to vote for Congress party," said Former Karnataka CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah.

The BJP government in Goa has declared May 10 as a paid holiday, which will also cover private establishments and industrial workers, in view of voting for the Assembly polls scheduled in neighbouring Karnataka.

However, the Pramod Sawant government's decision has not gone down well with Opposition parties and industry bodies.

Bengaluru District Election Officer, Tushar Girinath, opened the Strong Room, set up at Seshadripuram College in Karnataka's Yelahanka ahead of polling in the Assembly polls slated tomorrow. This comes ahead of the collection of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPATs) by the poll parties for the voting.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed confidence that the Congress will win the Karnataka assembly elections with a thumping majority. Karnataka goes to polls on Wednesday and the results will be declared on May 13. Speaking to reporters in Udaipur, Gehlot said, "It seems that the elections will be won with a huge majority." He also asserted that in Rajasthan the Congress government will return to power after the polls.

A day ahead of voting, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Sivakumar offered 'pooja' at Anjaneya Swami Temple in KR Market today morning.

KPCC president DK Sivakumar at Anjaneya Swami Temple

The BJP government in Goa has declared May 10 as a paid holiday, which will also cover private establishments and industrial workers, in view of voting for the Assembly polls scheduled in neighbouring Karnataka. However, the Pramod Sawant government's decision has not gone down well with Opposition parties and industry bodies.

The Karnataka State Election Commission has made eloborate arrangements for the Assembly elections in the state. To ensure no untoward incidents take place, the commission is deputing 1.56 lakh police personnel across the state. As many as 84,119 police officers from the state have been deputed and the rest are roped in from the neighbouring states.

The Congress and the Gandhi family have adopted a new strategy for the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections -- keeping national issues on the back burner while trying to focus on state issues, including inflation and unemployment. Pitting themselves against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personality, personal image and the Hindutva agenda has proved disastrous for the Congress.

The high-voltage campaign for the May 10 assembly elections in Karnataka ended on Monday with top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding 19 public meetings and six roadshows while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi camped in the state for 12 days. All three major political parties in the state - the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) have put all their efforts to woo the voters, making promises and launching accusations at each other to secure a majority in the state's 224-seat Assembly.