KARNATAKA has voted in the most crucial state elections before 2024. Preliminary estimates suggest that the voter turnout was 72.67 per cent, but the final figures are expected to increase. In the 2018 elections, the voter turnout was 72.36 per cent. According to exit polls and other indications, the BJP is likely to be voted out, and the Congress party is expected to form the next government. The election was fiercely contested, with close contests in almost all constituencies, and an intense campaign in the last few days. BJP goons attempted to attack a CPI(M) candidate at his residence in Bagepally when they sensed that they were losing ground.

The last few days leading up to the May 10th election day were marked by extensive campaigning by various political leaders. Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Shah, and JP Nadda campaigned on behalf of the BJP, while Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Vadra, and Mallikarjuna Kharge campaigned for the Congress party. JD(S) leader Devegowda and H D Kumaraswamy also campaigned intensively. The mega roadshows conducted by PM Modi in Bangalore on May 6th and 7th attracted the most attention and also became the most controversial. Originally planned for May 6th and spanning 36.5 kms, the roadshow was to be conducted for practically the entire day from 11 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 10 pm. This sparked a big outcry, as people were concerned about the disturbance to daily life due to security drills. The details of security arrangements also caused a lot of anguish, and a case was filed in the High Court to ban the PM's roadshow, which was dismissed. In response to the outcry, the BJP spread the roadshow over two days, May 6th and 7th. However, this caused even more concern, as the NEET examinations were taking place on May 7th. Ultimately, the BJP had to modify the timings and route to address the concerns. The BJP, their supporters and the Godi media claimed that the roadshows turned the tide in their favour, but the outcome of the election remains to be seen and will be determined on May 13th.

BJP’s ‘CORRUPTION RATE CARD’
In the last few days of the campaign, a war of full-page advertisements in major daily newspapers broke out between the Congress and BJP. One Congress advertisement mocked the BJP as the "Trouble Engine Sarkar" and depicted the price rise caused by the government across major commodities with figures. Another advertisement accused the BJP of looting Rs 1.5 lakh crore from the people of Karnataka and mentioned specific scandals with a list of media reports on it. The most aggressive Congress advertisement on BJP's 'Corruption rate card' listed the rates for all posts, starting from a police constable at Rs 10 lakhs, to a vice chancellor at Rs 5-10 crores and going up to the CM post at Rs 2500 crores, as well as the rates for government contracts ranging from 30 per cent for grants to mutts to 40 per cent for PWD contracts, to 70 per cent for COVID kits. The BJP hit back with its own set of accusations, highlighting the failures of the Congress and defending its own achievements, but lacked credibility and bite. For example, its charge that Congress' 'rate' was 85 per cent, citing Rajiv Gandhi's statement that only 15 per cent of the benefits of government schemes reached the people, was a gross misinterpretation.

The war of words between BJP and Congress leaders continued in rallies, public meetings, and statements. During his speech, PM Modi accused Congress of nurturing terrorism to appease the vote bank and mentioned the controversy surrounding the film 'Kerala story.' He also called upon people to recite 'Jai Bhajaranga Bali' while voting. Meanwhile, Amit Shah asserted that Muslim reservation would not be restored if BJP came to power, which caused Congress to complain to the Election Commission (EC). The Supreme Court also objected to this 'political statement' on the issue, which was sub-judice. The BJP sought the de-recognition of the Congress from EC over Sonia Gandhi's Karnataka "sovereignty" remark, citing a tweet from the Congress's official handle on the issue. The Congress clarified that the word "sovereignty" was never used by Sonia Gandhi in her campaign speech in Hubballi and deleted the party's tweet, which had "erroneously" attributed the word to her. BJP leader Eashwarappa burnt copies of the Congress manifesto in condemnation of the "ban on Bhajarang Dal" that it contained. Kalburgi BJP candidate and rowdy-sheeter Manikanta made headlines for the wrong reasons once again, as a viral audio clip surfaced in which he threatened to "finish off" the whole Kharge family.

The BJP filed a complaint with the Election Commission about the Congress advertisement that featured a "corruption rate card," prompting the EC to issue a notice to the Congress asking for evidence to support their claim. Responding to the notice, the Congress accused the EC of disregarding eleven specific complaints it had filed against the prime minister, home minister, and other BJP leaders for violating the model code of conduct. The Congress also accused the EC of exhibiting an unfair and biased attitude towards the opposition. Subsequently, the EC issued a notice to the BJP in relation to one of its advertisements.

According to a report, 1470 electoral bonds worth Rs 970.50 crores were issued during April 2023 in its latest 26th edition. This amount is nine times more than that issued during the 2018 Karnataka assembly elections. Unsurprisingly, the BJP is the biggest beneficiary of the electoral bonds, receiving 57 per cent of the total bonds issued so far, while the next highest beneficiary, the Congress, has only received 10 per cent.

All indications, including exit polls, suggest that the BJP is likely to lose and that the Congress would form the next government. However, given the substantial money-muscle power obtained from sources such as electoral bonds, along with the BJP's formidable election machinery that has the ability to connect with voters across the spectrum, it is not beyond the realm of possibility for the BJP to turn the tide on the eve of the election and spring a surprise.

In the evening on May 10th, several major media outlets and survey agencies released exit polls for the election. Out of the ten such polls conducted, four (India Today-Axis My India, Times Now-ETG, News Today-Today's Chanakya, India TV-CNX) predicted a clear majority for the Congress. Two polls (Zee News-Matrize and ABP News-C Voter) predicted a near (at the highest side of the range) majority for the Congress. Two more polls (TV9 Bharatvarsh-Polstrat and Republic TV-P MARQ) predicted a hung assembly with the Congress leading. Only two polls predicted a near or clear majority for the BJP, with Suvarna News-Jan Ki Baat predicting a near majority and News Nation-CGS predicting a clear majority.

(May 10, 2023)

CPI(M) Condemns BJP Conspiracy To Kidnap its Bagepalli Candidate

The following is the statement issued by the CPI(M) state committee on May 8

BJP goons entered CPI(M) candidate Dr Anil Kumar’s rented residence at Bagepalli yesterday night in an attempt to attack and kill or kidnap him.

When Dr Anil Kumar returned to his residence, yesterday night around 10 pm, several unknown people were around, on the steps and first floor of the house. When confronted by CPI(M) workers they said they were working for the BJP candidate and the first floor of the house was rented out to them. They were very aggressive and threateningly going around the house. They had come in two vehicles. When questioned, it came to light that they came from Anekal, Bangalore and elsewhere.

Dr Manjula, the wife of Dr Anil Kumar, and several CPI(M) workers lodged a complaint with the police, leading to the arrest of 19 out of the 30-strong gang that had entered their residence. During the arrest, the gang members threw their bags, which were later found to contain sharp weapons such as knives and machetes. It was discovered that the gang members were not locals and were most likely a hired criminal gang.

CPI(M) workers staged a demonstration in front of the Bagepalli police station, demanding the filing of an FIR and a comprehensive inquiry into the attempted attack on their candidate, Dr Anil Kumar. Dr Kumar has been gaining significant support in Bagepalli and is likely to win the seat, which has unnerved both the BJP and the incumbent Congress candidates. The attack on Dr Kumar is a clear attempt to disrupt his campaign and create unrest. There is a possibility of further such attempts being made.
CPI(M) Karnataka strongly condemns the attack on CPI(M) candidate Dr Anil Kumar in Bagepalli and demands a comprehensive inquiry into this attempt. The Party also urges the authorities to unearth any more plots to kidnap or harm Dr Kumar and create disturbance. Dr. Kumar and CPI(M) supporters should be given adequate protection to carry out their election propaganda.
The Party state committee calls upon all its units in the state to organise protests and submit  memoranda throughout the state.