Karnataka Election Results 2023: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge credits K'taka people for voting against BJP for bad governance

Bengaluru: AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday credited people of Karnataka for having furiously voted against the bad administration of the BJP.

"People themselves have been awakened and have furiously voted against the bad administration (of the BJP).

Despite the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), Home Minister (Amit Shah), dozens of ministers, Chief Ministers of other states campaigning here, manpower, money and muscle power, the people came together to vote for the Congress," he told reporters.

As at 2.49 pm, the Congress was leading in 136 seats and BJP in 63, while JDS in 21 seats. The counting of votes began at 8 am Saturday.

Kharge likened the Congress party's good show to 'Janata Janardhan' (people's) victory as it clearly surged ahead to wrest power from the BJP. "People have also responded to it. Also, our guarantees have worked, as the poor and downtrodden have voted for us," he said.

On the government formation process, Kharge said all the incumbent MLAs have been asked to reach Bengaluru by evening. Thereafter, the party high command will send observers to start the process, he said.

Kharge also complimented Congress party's entire state leadership and party office-bearers and workers. (UNI)