The BJP was leading in 105 seats in Karnataka's 225-member state assembly, the Election Commission of India said, with the opposition Congress party leading in 75. A party must have 113 seats to form a government and the BJP will probably have to seek the backing of smaller parties. "The result provides some reassurance to the BJP that its popularity remains intact," said Shilan Shah, a senior India economist at Capital Economics. If it forms a government in Karnataka, the BJP and its allies would govern 22 of India's 29 states. Modi's victory in Karnataka, where he led his party's campaign, showed he remains the top vote-getter in Indian politics, leaving Rahul Gandhi, the young leader of the main opposition Congress party, struggling.

Source: bd News24 May 15, 2018 13:18 UTC