DK Shivakumar breaks down as Congress wins Karnataka Bengaluru: With Congress set to win Karnataka, its senior leader DK Shivakumar broke down on Saturday as he spoke about his party's victory in the southern state. Shivakumar, 61, said he had "promised to Sonia Gandhi I will deliver Karnataka".
"I credit my party cadres and all my leaders. They worked hard. People have posed faith in us and the leaders have supported us. It is collective leadership. I have said in the beginning thinking together is progress and working together is a success...I assured Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge that I will deliver Karnataka. I cannot forget Sonia Gandhi coming to meet me in jail when BJP had imprisoned me," an emotional DK Shivakumar told the media.
He thanked all leaders in the state including Siddaramaiah. Shivakumar, who is a contender for the Chief Minister's job, said: "The Congress office is our temple. We will decide our next step at the Congress office." A resurgent Congress is set for a simple majority in Karnataka, and on course to wrest power from the BJP in a morale-boosting victory ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections.
The party was leading in 133 seats at 1:30 pm, as per the ECI website. The BJP is leading in 65 seats and Janata Dal-Secular in 22, according to the latest trends from Election Commission. Independents are ahead on two seats and Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha on one each. Independents are ahead on four seats and Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha on one each.
In terms of vote share, Congress got 43 per cent, BJP 36 per cent and JD(S) 13.2 per cent. Congress workers broke into celebrations in Karnataka and the party headquarters in Delhi. Voting for the 224-member Karnataka assembly was held on May 10 and counting of votes began at 8 am on Saturday. Congress workers distributed sweets with some dancing to the tune of drums.
Party workers also celebrated at the residence of Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakaumar in Bengaluru. At the party office in Delhi, party workers burst crackers to celebrate the anticipated victory. The fiercely contested election that saw high-pitch campaigns from the political parties is crucial for both BJP and Congress.
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