Congress concedes defeat in Karnataka

BENGALURU: As the vote count in the Karnataka Assembly polls showed the BJP crossing the half-way mark, the ruling Congress on Tuesday conceded defeat.

Energy Minister and Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar told the media here that the numbers indicated that his party was on the way out after five years in power.

Earlier today, in a virtual admission that the Congress may fall short of a majority in Karnataka, senior Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and Mallikarjun Kharge expressed possibilities of an alliance with the JD(S).


Congress' reaction is in stark contrast to BJP's, as hundreds of BJP activists were seen celebrating across Karnataka as the BJP appeared set to dethrone the Congress in the state.

Waving BJP flags and dancing to drum beats, the activists as well as some leaders cheered loudly in the party office here at Malleswaram. Many shouted slogans hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party President Amit Shah.