As the counting of votes reaches its final stage in the Karnataka Assembly Elections, Congress is holding a clear win in majority of the segments followed by the HD Kumaraswamy-led Janata Dal (Secular).
Janata Dal (Secular) is set to become the second single largest party in the state with 42 seats. The ruling BJP had to satisfy with just 35 seats, while BS Yeddyurappa's Karnataka Janata Paksh (KJP) gained just 10 seats.
With the Congress winning a majority, the party said it is open to the possibility of forming an alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular). However, JDS ruled out the possibility of joining forces saying it will continue to be an opposition party.
"We will fight against Congress like we fought against BJP. We will sit in the Opposition; Congress will not come to our house, there are other small parties," said JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy.
Speaking about the Congress' return to power after eight-long years, Minister of information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari said, "The people of Karnataka have voted. If you really look back, over the manner in which Parliament has been disrupted in the last fortnight, it is very evident that the entire charade was orchestrated for the Karnataka elections."
BJP responded to the result saying, "This accidental fluke victory of the Congress is because of the split in BJP votes."
