Wait for May 15, says Deve Gowda as 'kingmaker' JD(S) keeps its card close to chest

With the exit polls predicting the BJP as the single largest party and the Congress close second in Karnataka, the Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) has kept its cards close to the chest.

Reacting to the exit poll projections which showed his party emerging as the kingmaker in Karnataka, the JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda on Sunday said he was not yet “prepared” to “accept or reject” anything and asked people to wait for the results day.

“I am not prepared to accept or reject anything, let’s wait for 15^th May, we will get to know the reality,” the Janata Dal (Secular) chief said while asked to comment on exit polls and his party’s role.

There were media reports that if the Congress failed to secure a majority in Karnataka Assembly elections, the JD(S) could support the party.

While speaking to a private news channel, JDS spokesman Danish Ali squashed speculation of supporting the BJP and said that it was the Congress’ “responsibility” to reach out his party.

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According to the exit polls conducted by various media organisations and public opinion observers, Karnataka may witness a hung Assembly with the Congress and the BJP in neck-and-neck and JD(S) emerging as the kingmaker.

A post-poll survey conducted by News Nation predicted that the BJP may garner 38 per cent of the votes with 99-108 seats whereas the Congress may reduce to 75-84 seats with 35 per cent of the votes. The exit poll predicted a kingmaker’s role for the JD(S) with 31-40 seats.