Bangalore:
One and a half hour into counting of votes in Karnataka, the Congress has got over a sluggish start to show gains in early trends. It is also already clear that the ruling BJP is not staging a comeback. (
Watch: Not nervous, says Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar)
Of the 132 seats that leads were available for at about 9:15 am, the Congress was leading in 60, the BJP in 32, the Janata Dal (Secular) and BS Yeddyurappa's KJP in 25 and 5. (
Track live updates here)
Mr Yeddyurappa has effectively split the BJP's vote, but has failed to convert that into gains for his newly floated Karnataka Janata Party.
It is the Janata Dal (Secular) that is quietly making gains and could play a significant role in government formation in the event of a hung assembly. If early trends convert to similar results, that is a likely scenario.
The majority mark in the 224 member assembly is 113. In 2007, the BJP had won 110 - and made up the difference with the help of Independents to form government. (
Watch: Modi has no magic, says Congress' Siddaramaiah)
This time, even senior leader and former chief minister Sadananda Gowda had admitted that the party was looking at only around 80 seats. But right now the party seems unlikely to get half its current tally, faring poorly even in urban strongholds like Bangalore.
Before counting, the Congress said it was confident about forming the next government. But this morning party leaders like Parameshwara and Siddaramaiah were cautious in their assessments. (
Watch: Congress should cross 120 seats, says Parameshwara)
A clear picture is expected soon.