Big win for Congress in Karnataka

A huge setback for the ruling BJP, as the opposition Congress party is all set to form a government on its own in this southwestern state of Karnataka.

The counting of votes cast on May 10 began at 8 am today, and about five hours later, the trends were so clear that BJP conceded defeat.

Results on the Election Commission website

I am glad that we have a decisive mandate. That's good for governance. 

A big worry all these days was if the election would throw up a fractured verdict, as has been the case in the past. Unstable coalition governments are no good. 

BJP ERRED

It's a huge setback for the BJP, which had staked so much on this election. They were the incumbent and were facing allegations of massive corruption.

BJP, which has all along been saying that Congress is a party of corrupt leaders, probably never expected that the refrain would boomerang on them. BJP never addressed the issue of corruption in the state, and they have paid a huge price. 

The second big mistake BJP made was that it ignored regional issues and leaders. They went with a macro view and national leaders. 

There was a high-voltage campaign led by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union home minister Amit Shah for the BJP. 

There was a perception all around -- hope in BJP and fear in Congress -- that Modi's charisma and oratorical skills would decisively swing the votes in favour of the BJP.

One of their pitches was that if the same party is in power in the centre and the state, that would aid development, which they sloganised as "double-engine government".

This argument attracted a lot of criticism since it implicitly means that state governments in India have no major role.

CONGRESS CAPITALISED

Congress focused on the failings of the government. They micro-managed the campaign with local issues and leaders. They were proactive rather than reactive.

Finally, after all the speeches and roadshows, people voted the way they felt was right, resulting in an outcome that jolted the BJP.

I am also happy that all the cherished values like diversity and democratic choices are very much alive in our country. People don't get swayed by rhetoric; they think independently.

They opted for change and gave Congress a chance to rule the state for the next five years.

Congress will now call a meeting of its legislative party (comprising the lawmakers who have been elected), and they will choose their leader, who will be sworn in as the chief minister.