DK Shivakumar predicts Congress government in Karnataka

Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar is looking confident just a day before the assembly result. He went on to say that his party would emerge victorious and form the government, dismissing any chance of an alliance between Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular.

Mr Shivakumar, who has been hoping to be the next Chief Minister of the state, said on Friday that he and his party have predicted winning 150 seats out of the 224 member assembly, and the magic figure for making a government is 113 seats.

“I will not change my numbers. The grand old party is sure to unseat the BJP. We have tall leaders, and our national leaders came here and did a commendable job. Senior party leader Siddaramaiah and others travelled across the state. “Consequently, we will have good numbers,” he said.

He rejected the idea that there were any talks with JD-S which is likely to play the role of kingmaker in case of a hung assembly.

He said that the Congress itself would form the next government in Karnataka, and he denied commenting on the saffron party regarding its attempt to make the JD-S an ally.

But he remained tight lipped when asked who will be the next CM of the state he or Siddaramaiah if Congress comes to power. “Decision will be taken by two former Congress presidents, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandh”, he said.

The ruling BJP is hoping to win the election in Karnataka, which is the only stronghold of the saffron party in South India.

However, former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa believes that the BJP will get more than 115 seats. CM Basavaraj Bommai speaks the same language and certain that party will get a ‘comfortable majority ’.