The EC on Thursday decided to hold elections to Karnataka Assembly before the end of President’s rule by May-end. It has been a turbulent four years since the last election. The State experimented with three coalition governments, one of which lasted only for seven days. Here is a snap-shot at the turn of events since May 2004, when the 12th Legislative Assembly was constituted.

2004
May 13 - Poll results throw up a hung assembly. BJP: 79; Cong 65 and JD(S): 58.

May 28:  First ever coalition government in State;

Dharam Singh sworn in as CM and Siddaramaiah of JD(S) as Deputy CM.

Aug: First cracks surface in coalition set-up; JD(S) threatens to withdraw support if govt does not expedite development works and expand cabinet

Oct: Friends in Vidhana Soudha but enemies outside. Cong and JD(S) decide to go it alone in Bidar by-elections; Cong candidate win.

Dec 1: S M Krishna is appointed Governor of Maharashtra.

2005
Jan - Dec: Coalition partners lose no opportunity in claiming that they are ready for mid-term polls.
April: New confrontation between coalition partners over land grabbing charges.

June: By-elections; JD(S) bags Chamarajpet Assembly seat.

Aug: Political tsunami hits State - ouster of Siddaramaiah, Ananth Kumar- B S Yeddyurappa spat, dissidents in Cong. 

Dec:  ZP polls results; Cong bags 14 districts; JD(S) wins two.

2006
Jan 18: Day of hectic political development. As many as 41 JD(S) MLAs led by HDK claim to form an alternative govt with support of the BJP.  Power-sharing agreement - JD(S) CM for first 20 months, followed by BJP CM for next 20 months.

Jan 29: Dharam Singh resigns

Feb 1: Power-sharing agreement finalised. BJP to have 18 ministers and JD(S) 17. "

Feb 3: HDK sworn in as CM and BSY as DyCM

Feb 8: New govt wins vote of confidence polling 138 votes against 66

June: Entire month dominated by BMIC controversy.

July: Entire month dominated by mining controversy

2007
Oct 2: All BJP ministers resign as JD(S) refuses to transfer power

Oct 7: BJP withdraws support to JD(S)

Oct 8: HDK resigns

Oct 10: President’s rule begins

Oct 11-24: Political uncertainty continues, talks on JD(S)-Cong realigning ties

Oct 27: BJP, JD(S) join hands once again; BSY stakes claim to form govt.

Oct 29: BJP, JD(S) parade 129 MLAs before Governor

Nov 1: Deve Gowda imposes 12-conditions on BJP for government formation

Nov 8: UPA government decides to revoke the President’s rule in Karnataka.

Nov 12: BSY sworn in as CM

Nov 19:  JD(S) issues whip to its legislators to vote against the govt; BSY resigns

Nov 20: President’s rule begins

Nov 28: Assembly dissolved

Dec-Feb: Speculation rife that polls would be delayed and held in November

Mar 20:  EC says polls to be held by May-end