"Congress Doesn't Trust Its MLAs": Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai

As the results for the Karnataka assembly elections will be declared today, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has expressed confidence that the ruling BJP will cross the "magic number" with a clear majority.

"We are confident that we will win and cross the magic number. We have got the ground report from all the booths and the constituencies".

On being asked about Congress having allegedly booked resorts to keep the flock together, Mr Bommai said the grand old party will not get a majority and hence they are in touch with other parties.

 "They have no confidence in their legislators," Mr Bommai said, 

Mr Bommai said the BJP is confident of coming to power on its own, ruling out any coalition.

"At present, there's no question of any alliance as they are sure to get the absolute majority. Let the Congress leaders hold any meeting as they have the right to hold it," the Chief Minister said.

Karnataka saw a three-cornered contest, with a direct fight between the BJP, Congress and the JD(S) in most of the constituencies. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is in power in Delhi and Punjab, had also fielded some candidates.

Most exit polls have predicted a tight contest between the Congress and BJP in the Assembly polls. A majority of them have also given an edge to the Congress over the ruling BJP, while indicating the possibility of a hung Assembly.

Predictions indicate that HD Kumaraswamy's JDS is likely to play kingmaker. The majority mark in the 224-seat assembly is 113 seats.