The BJP looks set to grab 16 of the 28 seats in Karnataka in the general elections, the NDTV exit poll shows. (
Full Coverage: NDTV Exit Polls)
That is three less than the 21 it had won in 2009, but it will count as a recovery after it suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Congress in Assembly elections held just 12 months ago.
The Congress could have to settle for only 10 seats, four more than it had won last time, but a disappointing figure for a party that has only just wrested the state from the BJP. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said today that he hoped to win between 18 and 20 seats.
The Karnataka BJP has banked on what it calls the Narendra Modi wave. The party also played a gamble in bringing back into its fold, controversial leaders like former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa and Srilamalu from Bellary.
The Janata Dal United, the exit poll shows, will fail to improve on its status as a minor player. It is expected to win two seats. It had won three seats in 2009, two of which it later lost to the Congress in by-elections.