DK Shivakumar, the Karnataka Congress President, and HD Kumaraswamy, the former Chief Minister of Karnataka, cast their votes on Wednesday in their respective constituencies, as the voting process for the Karnataka assembly elections began across the state.
As many as 2,615 candidates are in the fray for the 224 assembly seatsShivakumar ruled out the possibility of a post-poll alliance with JDS in case of a hung verdict. However, Kumaraswamy stated that his party would not be a kingmaker but the king itself.After casting his vote, Shivakumar expressed his confidence that the Congress party would win more than 141 seats in the elections as the people of the state would vote for a change.
He also stated that the young voters would root out the corrupt BJP rule and elect the Congress governmentShivakumar is contesting from the Kanakapura constituency, where he is pitted against BJP heavyweight and Karnataka minister R Ashoka. He believes that the young voters are aware of price rise and corruption in the government and will certainly vote for a change.
Before reaching the polling booth, Shivakumar sought the blessings of his family deity Kenkeramma and appealed to the people to come out of their homes to cast their votes.
He also worshipped a gas cylinder in his office on May 6Regarding the post-poll alliance with JDS, Shivakumar ruled out the possibility, stating that the Congress party would form the government on its ownMeanwhile, Kumaraswamy cast his vote at a polling booth in Ketaganahalli in Bidadi of Ramanagara District along with his wife Anitha Kumaraswamy.
His son Nikhil Kumaraswamy is contesting from the Ramanagar assembly seat. Kumaraswamy requested the people to bless JDS candidates to take up development, stating that JDS would not only be the kingmaker but the king itself.