Karnataka elections: 'Bajrangbali' chants erupt at Congress offices with BJP staring at a possible loss

Elated Congress workers were seen celebrating across India a much-needed victory in the Karnataka elections, as votes were counted on Saturday for an election widely seen as a litmus test for both parties ahead of the 2024 parliamentary polls.

Some workers were seen dressed as Lord Hanuman and celebrating the victory while few others burst crackers whilst holding the Hindu God's fabled weapon, the Gada as Congress took a steady lead against the incumbent BJP in the southern state.

The Hindu God's name had taken centre stage in the election campaign after a massive controversy followed the promise of a clampdown on extremist organizations, made by the Congress in its election manifesto for Karnataka.



In the manifesto, Islamist organization PFI and Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, an RSS affiliate, were mentioned in the same vein, evoking outrage from the BJP, the veritable political front of the “Sangh Parivar”.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and its youth wing Bajrang Dal said that they have decided to chant ‘Hanuman Chalisa' on May 9 throughout the country. The call comes as a counter to the Congress party which in its manifesto released last week said it was committed to taking firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations spreading hatred amongst communities on grounds of caste and religion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at his election meetings, alleged that any action against Bajrang Dal was tantamount to an insult to “Bajrang Bali”, another popular name of Lord Hanuman, and raised chants of “Bajrang Bali Ki Jai” at rallies.



With a much-needed victory tantalisingly close in the crucial southern state, early celebrations broke out at the opposition Congress headquarters in Bengaluru and Delhi. BJP leaders, hoping to break a 38-year jinx of Karnataka not voting an incumbent to power, looked at a possible loss but waited till counting ended to analyse why and how.

By 11 am, trends for all the 224 seats in the state were known. At 117 seats, the Congress was a notch ahead of the magic number of 113, while the BJP was looking at the 75 mark. The Janata Dal-S (JD-S), hoping to become kingmaker, was leading in 25 seats.

While many in the BJP said it was too early to call the election, Congress workers and leaders, desperately looking to reverse its electoral fortunes and position itself as the main opposition player in 2024, were jubilant.

“The Congress will win with over 120 seats,” Congress leader Siddaramaiah, the man who could be the next chief minister if his party comes to power, told reporters in Mysuru.

“We will come back with a heavy majority. This is a message for the BJP. Please stick to issues that matter to everyday lives of India and don't try to divide India,” the party's Pawan Khera added in Delhi.

With a possible win on the horizon, his colleague Shama Mohammed echoed him and hundreds of party workers who danced to the beat of drums and burst crackers in jubilation.

“The Bharat Jodo Yatra made a lot of difference,” she said, referring to the Kanyakumari to Kashmir campaign headed by Rahul Gandhi who walked some 3,000 km over three months.

Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai described result day as a big day for Karnataka.