Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje has dismissed any potential for an ‘Operation Lotus’ in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections, stating that the BJP would secure between 120 to 125 seats and return to power. The term ‘Operation Lotus’ was coined by the opposition Congress and the JD(S), alleging that the BJP had attempted to “poach opposition MLAs” when it failed to win a majority on its own. However, Karandlaje stated that her party would prove the exit polls wrong, as most have predicted a Congress victory.
As the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Karandlaje emphasized that her party’s primary reports following the elections on Wednesday suggested that they were on track to securing an absolute majority. This would put the BJP back in power, and they would not need to resort to any kind of poaching to form a government.
The BJP has been facing stiff competition from the Congress, which has been leading an aggressive campaign to gain ground in the state. The party’s state unit chief, DK Shivakumar, has been particularly vocal, stating that he is confident of a Congress victory. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been travelling across the state, addressing rallies and trying to drum up support for the party.
Despite the BJP’s claims, the Congress remains optimistic about its chances in the upcoming elections. In fact, the party has been buoyed by a recent survey that showed it gaining ground in the state. According to the survey, the Congress is likely to win between 105 to 115 seats, which is a significant improvement from its performance in the 2018 elections.
However, it is important to note that exit polls and surveys have been notoriously unreliable in the past. In fact, they have often failed to accurately predict election outcomes. Therefore, it is difficult to say for sure who will emerge victorious in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections.
In any case, the election results are eagerly awaited by political observers and voters alike. They will have a significant impact on the political landscape of the state, and could potentially have national implications as well. For now, all eyes are on the counting of votes, which is set to take place on May 15th.
