Karnataka election results: Kumaraswamy leads from Channapatna, BJP's Yogeshwara closes in

Kumaraswamy is pitted against BJP leader CP Yogeshwara whom the JD(S) leader had defeated in the 2018 Assembly polls by a margin of over 20,000 votes.

Bengaluru: As the counting of votes for the Karnataka Assembly polls is on, early trends show JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy leading with 28166 votes from Channapatna after the end of the sixth round of counting.

Kumaraswamy is pitted against BJP leader CP Yogeshwara whom the JD(S) leader had defeated in the 2018 Assembly polls by a margin of over 20,000 votes. Yogeshwara is giving tough competition to Kumaraswamy securing over 27642 votes so far.

Before 2018, Yogeshwara contested on a Samajwadi Party (SP) ticket and won against Kumaraswamy’s wife Anita Kumaraswamy in 2013. Channapatna assembly constituency recorded a voter turnout of 85.27 per cent in May 10 Assembly elections.

Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that he has not been contacted as yet for the formation of the government in case of a cliffhanger, adding that he is hoping for a "good show". Speaking to the media ahead of the counting, Kumaraswamy cited the exit polls which predicted nearly 30-32 seats to JD(S) and a clear edge to the Congress party with some even predicting a majority for the grand old party and said that according to the predictions, there is no need for him to explore options.

"In the next two to three hours, it will become clear. Exit polls show that the two national parties will score in a big way. The polls have given 30-32 seats to JD(S). I am a small party, there is no demand for me...I am hoping for a good development," he said. Early trends show Congress already crossing the halfway mark of 113 and taking a dominant lead against BJP. By noon, the ground situation will be more clear.