If early counting trends are anything to go by, the Congress-JD(S) coalition could be in for a major upset with the BJP leading in more than 23 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.
JD(S) supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda are trailing against BJP’s GS Basavaraju in Tumkur. Gowda’s eldest grandson Nikhil, son of Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, is locked in a close contest with BJP-backed independent Sumalatha in Mandya - the two are virtually taking turns in leading. Gowda’s younger grandson Prajwal is leading by over 50,000 votes against BJP’s A Manju in Hassan.
Congress veterans Mallikarjun Kharge (Gulbarga), M Veerappa Moily (Chikkaballapur) and KH Muniyappa (Kolar) are trailing.
As on 11:30 am Thursday, the BJP is leading in 23 seats.
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