BJP workers across Karnataka today began celebrations as trends showed the saffron party was set to form a government in the state. Counting of votes for the May 12 Karnataka Assembly elections began this morning at 38 centres in the state.


Sweets and delicacies were distributed among boisterous party workers and supporters who gathered at the state BJP headquarters in Bengaluru and its offices across Karnataka, including those in Kalaburagi, Hubbali-Dharwad, Mangaluru and Shivamogga.


This morning the mood was quite different with BJP workers anxious as several poll surveys and exit polls had predicted a hung house with some giving an edge to the ruling Congress.


But the mood turned jubilant as results trickled in with the BJP maintaining a steady lead, leaving its main opponent, the Congress, far behind. Party workers danced to music and raised slogans such as "Bharat Mata ki Jai", "Narendra Modi Ki Jai" and "BJP Ki Jai".


The Congress headquarters in Bengaluru, bore a deserted look, as the party found itself lagging in all regions of the state. The BJP appeared headed for a simple majority in the Karnataka elections, with its candidates leading in 108 assembly seats, leaving the ruling Congress at 73 in the latest trends available for 220 of the state's 222 seats where polling was held.


Polling for R R Nagar seat was deferred on account of alleged electoral malpractices, while it was countermanded in Jayanagar seat following the death of the BJP candidate. PTI