Karnataka Election Results 2018: Congress offers support to JD(S) to form government

Even though most exit polls predicted a hung assembly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to form the government in Karnataka with a simple majority, handing out a severe drubbing to the ruling Congress and relegating the Janata Dal (Secular) to the third spot.

1. 👁 Karnataka Election Results 2018: Celebrations begin as BJP retains the southern state
   

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   BJP workers across Karnataka today began celebrations as trends showed that BJP is set to form a government in the state.(Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

1. 👁 Karnataka Election Results 2018: Celebrations begin as BJP retains the southern state
   

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   Counting of votes for the May 12 Karnataka Assembly elections began this morning at 38 centres in the state. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

1. 👁 Karnataka Election Results 2018: Celebrations begin as BJP retains the southern state
   

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   Even as the trends were pouring in, it was celebration time for the BJP workers who gathered in front of the state party headquarters here and elsewhere in the state, chanting slogans, blowing conch shells and breaking into a jig. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

1. 👁 Karnataka Election Results 2018: Celebrations begin as BJP retains the southern state
   

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   However, the Congress headquarters in Bengaluru, bore a deserted look, as the party found itself lagging in all regions of the state. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

1. 👁 Karnataka Election Results 2018: Celebrations begin as BJP retains the southern state
   

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   Trends showed that another key player JD(S) led by former PM H D Deve Gowda was faring well in its traditional stronghold of Mysuru region, hurting the prospects of the Congress. (Express Photo by Abhinav Saha)

1. 👁 Karnataka Election Results 2018: Celebrations begin as BJP retains the southern state
   

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   The three-way contest is between the incumbent Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, the BJP which has projected BS Yeddyurappa as its chief ministerial candidate and the JD(S) which is likely to emerge as the kingmaker. (Express Photo by Abhinav Saha)

1. 👁 Karnataka Election Results 2018: Celebrations begin as BJP retains the southern state
   

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   Reflecting the plight of the Congress, chief minister Siddaramaiah was trailing in Chamundeshwari in Mysuru against his JD(S) rival G T Deve Gowda. (Express Photo by Prem Nath Pandey)

1. 👁 Karnataka Election Results 2018: Celebrations begin as BJP retains the southern state
   

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   New finance minister Piyush goyal with Union Minister Jeetendra Singh after meeting BJP president Amit Shah at his residence on Tuesday. (Express Photo by Prem Nath Pandey)

1. 👁 Karnataka Election Results 2018: Celebrations begin as BJP retains the southern state
   

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   Earlier in the day, as the election results were declared in Karnataka, the scene at the Congress party headquarters in New Delhi. (Express Photo by Prem Nath Pandey)

1. 👁 Karnataka Election Results 2018: Celebrations begin as BJP retains the southern state
   

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   Sweets and delicacies were distributed among boisterous party workers and supporters who gathered at the state BJP headquarters and its offices across Karnataka, including those in Kalaburagi, Hubbali-Dharwad, Mangaluru and Shivamogga. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

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   The Congress, meanwhile, has bagged nearly 70 seats and the JD(S) at least 40 and there is talk of a possible alliance.(Source: PTI)

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   Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, celebrations have been put on hold at the BJP office in Lucknow in light of the new political developments in Karnataka. In Pic: Supporters watching results at BJP headquarter in New Delhi. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

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   The Congress party on Tuesday announced it would back the JD(S) to form an alliance in its bid to retain power in Karnataka, despite the BJP emerging as the single largest party. (Express Illustration)

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   Celebrations have stopped outside BJP office. (Express Photo by Renuka Puri)