Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday had made a strong pitch for "change" in Karnataka as it was passing through "some of the darkest days'.

Addressing her first election rally in the poll-bound state at Chickmagalur, Sonia said: "I remind the young generation that these are some of the darkest days. People want change. The need for change is now, and now."

"The BJP has completely ignored your mandate, they have completely betrayed the mandate of the people of Karnataka", she charged, as she attacked the government on various fronts, including the "breakdown" of the law and order.

The exit polls are often wrong, but the figures so far indicate Congress may sweep the Karnataka polls. Of the figures available on 27 seats so far, the Congress leads with 11, BJP: 08, JDS: 4, KJP: 3, Others: 1