2023 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election

Legislative Assembly elections were held inKarnatakaon10 May 2023to elect all224 membersof theKarnataka Legislative Assembly. The votes were counted and the results were declared on 13 May 2023.
The election saw a final voter turnout of 73.84%, the highest ever recorded in the history of Legislative Assembly elections in Karnataka.
TheIndian National Congresswon the election in alandslideby getting 135 seats, making it their biggest win by seats and vote share in Karnataka since the1989 elections.TheBharatiya Janata Partyand theJanata Dal (Secular)conceded defeat, finishing second and third, respectively.
The tenure of theKarnataka Legislative Assemblyended on 24 May 2023.Theprevious assembly electionswere held in May 2018. TheIndian National Congresswon the election in alandslideby getting 135 seats, making it their biggest win by seats and vote share in Karnataka since the1989 elections.
In July 2019, the coalition government collapsed due to resignations by several members ofCongressandJD(S)in the assembly.Subsequently,Bharatiya Janata Partyformed the state government, withB. S. Yediyurappabecoming Chief Minister.
On 26 July 2021, Yediyurappa resigned from Chief Minister's postandBasavaraj Bommaiwas sworn in as the new Chief Minister on 28 July 2021.
On 19 February 2023, BJP leader H.D. Thammaiah joined Congress along with his supporters.On 9 March 2023, BJP MLCPuttannajoined the Congress.Former Karnataka Chief MinisterJagadish Shettarquit BJP on 16 April 2023and joined Congress the next day.Other leaders that left BJP before the polls includeLaxman Savadi, M P Kumaraswamy andR. Shankar.
The schedule of the election was announced by theElection Commission of Indiaon 29 March 2023.The Election Commission declared that the provisions of theModel Code of Conduct"came into force with immediate effect" with the announcement of schedule.
The total electorate in the state were 52,173,579 of which there were 26,200,000 men, 25,900,000 women and 4,699 transgender voters. 16,976 centenarians, 12.15 lakh voters over the age of 80 and 917,000 first-time voters were also included in the total. Moreover, 555,000 voters were disabled.
The Election Commission announced 58,282 polling stations for the election, out of which 24,063 were in urban areas and 34,219 in rural areas. The commission announced that to ensure enhanced voter participation, 1,320 polling stations were to be managed by women, 224 each by youth and disabled personnel.130,000vialsofindelible inkwere supplied byMysore Paints and Varnishfor the polls.
JD(S) released the first list of 93 candidates on 19 December 2022 andthe second list of 49 candidates on 14 April 2023.Another list of 6 candidates on 15 April.and candidate forChamarajawas announced on 16 April.A list of 59 candidates was released on 19 April.On the same day, another list was released wherein candidates from 12 constituencies were replacedand support was given to other parties in 7 other constituencies.Final list of 13 candidates was released on 20 April.
Congress released the first list of 124 candidates on 25 March 2023,the second list of 41 candidates on 6 April, leaving one seat for Sarvodaya Karnataka Party,the third list of 43 candidates on 15 April,the fourth list of 7 candidates on 18 April,the fifth list of 4 candidates (including replacement forShiggaonconstituency) on 19 Apriland the sixth and final list of 5 candidates on 20 April.
BJP released the first list of 189 candidates on 11 April 2023,the second list of 23 candidates on 12 April,the third list of 10 candidates on 17 Aprilthe fourth and final list of 2 candidates on 19 April.
Tensions concerning theBelagavi border disputeintensified in early December 2022 as a delegation of Maharashtra politicians proposed to travel to Belagavi district to demand the merger of some villages in Karnataka with Maharashtra, with politicians from Maharashtra making provocative statements.The border row escalated into violence after vehicles from both states were attacked and damaged in Belgavi and Pune in mid-December.
The issue has resurfaced ahead of assembly elections.Leader of the OppositionSiddaramaiahhas demanded the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai for failing in his duties to protect the state.
In July 2021, D. Kempanna, president of the Karnataka State Contractors' Association wrote to Prime MinisterNarendra Modialleging large-scale corruption in the award and implementation of civil contracts in Karnataka. In the letter, he alleged that contractors were being forced to pay a 40% commission to officials at the BJP government, cutting across departments, for projects.Congress started a campaign PayCM to widely publicize these allegations.
Contractor Santhosh Patil (aged 40) who accused then-state cabinet ministerK. S. Eshwarappaof harassing him for commissions committed suicide at Shambhavi Hotel inUdupion 12 April 2022. He alleged that the BJP leader had been harassing him for commissions to clear the bills for contracts he had implemented for the government over a year ago.Eshwarappa had to resign as cabinet minister following the incident,and has retired from electoral politics.
Later in November 2024, theKarnataka Lokayuktacleared the BJP Karnataka unit of the 40% commission allegations, BJP leaders labelled Congress's allegations as false and claimed that they were a part of their election toolkit strategy. The state unit also said that the contractor who levied the allegations had not worked with the government for the past six years.
In August 2022, two associations representing 13,000 schools in Karnataka wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing theBasavaraj Bommai-led BJP governmentof corruption. "Unscientific, irrational, discriminatory and noncompliance norms are applied to only unaided private schools and huge corruption is in place," the letter read. The school associations urged PM Modi to look into the allegations and launch an inquiry into the affairs of the Karnataka education ministry.
In order to "expose" the ruling BJP in Karnataka, the opposition Congress party has determined to make the Bitcoin scam an election issue in the 2023 elections.
When the merchandise was exported via Goa, depriving Karnataka of its tax revenue, the state exchequer lost roughly Rs 60 crore while the excise scam cost about Rs 200 crore, according toPriyank Kharge.
Congress party also released a 'corruption rate card' in English and Kannada languages, alleging the ruling BJP of looting ₹1,50,000 crore during last four years.The Election Commission issued a notice to Congress over these ads asked to provide evidence to support the claims.
According to political analysts Phani Rajanna and Sandeep Shastri, with Karnataka polls nearing, the BJP is raking up more and more communal issues to divide people and polarise the votes. This has been shown by communal tensions started by right-wing Hindutva groups onuse of hijab in government schools, sale ofhalalmeat, broadcasting ofazanon loudspeakers, a boycott of Muslim-run shops & Muslim employees similar to theNazi boycott of Jewish businesses,moral policingspecifically targeting Muslims andviolence against Christians, which have been linked to the Bommai government.Bommai was widely perceived to be weak within the Karnataka BJP,due to which hardliners likeTejasvi Surya&B. L. Santhoshtook over the reins of party administration.
The BJP has focused its campaign around these communal issues,drawing stark criticism from the opposition Congress, which accused it of neglecting governance issues.
Caste politics have once again risen to the forefront following the just completed elections in five states. The tone for the assembly elections the next year is being set by the regrouping of various caste lobbies in their fight for reservation.The Karnataka government has courted controversy with its orders to take away 4%OBCquota fromlow-caste Muslimsand redistributing them toLingayatsandVokkaligas. In addition the government has expressed support for internal reservation forScheduled Castesinto SC right, SC left and SC 'touchable' and SC other. Communities such as theBanjarahave protested this move as depriving them of a share.
While various caste groups are working to make the controversial farm rules that the government passed two years ago the main topic for the forthcoming assembly elections, farmer organisations are getting ready to resurrect the issue.
In Karnataka, a war brewing between two major milk cooperatives in the country has spilled over into a political slugfest ahead of the Assembly elections in the state. TheAmulvsNandinirow has created a stir in the state, with opposition mainly Congress leaders and pro-Kannadaregionalistgroups attacking the government for allowing theGujarat-based Amul to sell fresh milk and curd in Bengaluru. The critics believe that entry of Amul in the fresh milk market could spell trouble for Karnataka's local brand, Nandini.
On 3 January 2023, BJP Karnataka state presidentNalin Kumar Kateelin a party meet atMangaloresaid that people should prioritise the issue of "Love jihad" over "road, gutter, drain and other small issues".His comments were criticised by Congress leaders and several state BJP leaders also expressed unhappiness over the remarks.
On 26 April 2023, BJP top leaderAmit Shahsaid, "If the Congress comes to power, dynastic politics will be at an all-time high and Karnataka will be afflicted with riots".In response, Indian National Congress filed a police complaint against Amit Shah for provocative statements and promoting enmity.
On 9 May 2023, theSupreme Courttermed Amit Shah's public speeches on scrapping of the 4 per cent quota for Muslims during the campaign in Karnataka when the matter was pending in the court, as "inappropriate" and alleged that the speeches amounted to "contempt of court proceedings".
TheIndian National Congressmade allegations that Chilume Trust, an NGO in Bengaluru, had amassed voter personal data, including caste, age, gender, work and education information,Aadhaarcards, phone numbers and more.The Congress alleged that BJP assigned party workers through the NGO to collect such information, and names of legitimate voters of the opposition party were deleted and that names of 'fake voters' were added to ensure more votes for the BJP.The Congress also demanded resignation of Chief Minister over the matter.
In December 2022, the NGO was blacklisted byBruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, Bengaluru's civic body, and a police complaint was filed against them for breach of trust.Subsequently, a probe was launched against the activities of the trust.
In April 2023, another company was found to be selling voter data of at least 6.5 lakh voters through an online portal. The Election Commission of India is investigating whether the data has been used for calling the voters and bribing them. An FIR has been lodged byBengaluru Policeagainst the online portal following a complaint made by an independent candidate who was approached by the seller.
BJP MLAC. N. Ashwath Narayansent voters messages containing information (their names, voter ID card number, relatives' names and the booth address) from their voter ID cards onWhatsApp. This led to outrage among the voters questioning the legality of the practice and violation of their privacy.
During an election campaign inKalaburagi,Congress presidentandRajya Sabhamember from KarnatakaMallikarjun Khargemade a remark against PM Narendra Modi, calling him a 'poisonous snake'.Union Home MinisterAmit Shahand Karnataka CMBasavaraj Bommaicriticized the Congress leader and said that the comment will instead benefit BJP.BJP called it Congress's 'hate politics' and also demanded FIR against Congress leader.
TheIndian National Congressreleased its state manifesto, saying that it will put a ban on the right-wingHindu nationalistmilitantorganisationBajrang Dalfor spreading hatred and communalism if elected to power. In response, Bajrang Dal and BJP workers protested by chantingHanuman Chalisaand burning Congress flags, and theVishva Hindu Parishadissued a defamation notice to the Congress president Kharge.
Congress has claimed that BJP has been planning to assassinate Congress presidentMallikarjun Khargeand his family. Congress released an alleged audio clip on 6 May 2023 in which Manikanta Rathod, BJP candidate fromChittapur, could be heard abusing Kharge and talking about eliminating him and his family.
The Election Commission ignored the complaints by the Congress party on various statements by BJP leaders which lead to allegations of the EC being biased and favouring the BJP.
The Election commission asked Congress to provide evidence behind their newspaper advertisements claiming specific allegations of corruption by the BJP's Karnataka government and also issued a notice for Sonia Gandhi's alleged mention of the word "sovereignty" in a public speech. However no action was taken by the Election Commission on complaints raised by Congress against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly invoking Hindu gods in his rallies and alleging Congress of a terror conspiracy.
Referring to Congress leaderSonia Gandhi's speech, Prime Minister Modi had alleged Congress of "openly advocating" Karnataka'ssecessionfrom the Indian Union, called for an FIR against her and sought derecognition of the Congress party by the Election Commission. However, Sonia did not use the word "sovereignty" or its Hindi translation "samprabhuta" in her speech, but the word was instead mentioned in a tweet by the Congress.
In response, the Congress submitted a breach of privilege notice inLok Sabhaagainst PM Modi for the alleged "misrepresentation" of Sonia's speech.
Karnataka chief ministerBasavaraj Bommaiand former chief ministerB. S. Yediyurappastarted the "Jana Sankalpa Yatra" for theBharatiya Janata Partyon 11 October 2022, coinciding with theBharat Jodo Yatraof Congress'sRahul Gandhiin the state. The yatra would cover 52 assembly constituencies.
BJP's campaign was centred around the prime ministerNarendra Modi, who addressed 19 public rallies and 6 roadshows in the state,the schemes of the Central government and how the government in the state would make collaboration easy with the center. BJP did not announce a Chief Minister candidate and did not project a local leader as a face of the campaign.The party banked onHindutvato divide voters along the communal lines before the polls when it was in the power in the state. It campaigned on issues like banninghijabin government schools, scrapping of 4% reservation quota forlow-caste Muslims, twisting historical facts aroundTipu Sultan,ban on cattle slaughteretc. In most of the election campaigning, the party put Hindutva to the back possibly due to their realization that the religious polarisation was not working.
In the last days of campaigning period, Prime Minister Modi conducted road rallies, ignoring major issues in the country such as large scaleunrest in Manipur, terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir andwrestlers' protests against MP of his party.Modi also referenced the controversial filmThe Kerala Storyas "a new face of terrorism" even after the Kerala High court acknowledged the movie is not based on real events.His rallies were marked with slogans of 'Jai Bajrang Bali' after Congress pledged to ban organisations that spread hatred and namedBajrang Dalin their manifesto. The campaign attempted to equate Bajrang Dal with Bajrang Bali (LordHanuman) while Congress maintained the two are different.Many commuters found themselves stranded in traffic caused by blocking of roads due to the roadshows.
BJP announced their manifesto on 1 May 2023.
The manifesto was divided into six sections- Anna (food security), Abhaya (social welfare), Akshara (education), Aarogya (health), Abhivrudhhi (development) and Aadaaya (income).
Some highlights of BJP manifesto are:
TheIndian National Congresscampaign was marked by allegations of corruption by the BJP government in the state, putting the BJP on the defensive. The five guarantees and the groundwork ensured outreach of the party among the voters, finding resonance especially among women who outnumber male voters in about 50% of the seats. The party deployed local-level leaders Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, Parameshwar, MB Patil, UT Khader, KJ George and the AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge. Congress also took risk by mentioning ban ofBajrang Dalin its manifesto hoping to consolidate minority votes which could potentially go to JDS, a move which gave BJP some fuel in last few days of campaigning.
TheIndian National Congresskickstarted its campaign with the entry of theBharat Jodo Yatrain Karnataka on 30 September 2022. The yatra had huge crowds throughout the state,galvanising the party cadre and increasing morale of party workers, according to political experts.Police started cracking down on Congress's PayCM campaign against the alleged corruption in theBommai ministryupon the entry of the Bharat Jodo Yatra.In the yatra,Rahul Gandhistressed issues such as the handling of theCOVID-19 pandemicby the state BJP governmentand the importance of regional languages, especiallyKannada.
In September 2022, the Congress set up QR codes of "PayCM" in many parts of Bengaluru. These posters had Karnataka CMBasavaraj Bommai's dotted face with the caption "40% Accepted Here...Scan this QR code to make CM PAY for Corruption" as a knockoff of the QR code ofPaytm. These posters referred to the allegations that Bommai's BJP government took bribes in awarding public contracts and recruitments.These QR codes took scanners to a website people could report corruption and make complains at a designated website.
A 10-point platform for the Coastal region was released by the Congress Party for the Assembly elections. It focuses on generating employment, luring capital, growing tourism, and fostering social peace.
On 2 May 2023, Congress released its manifesto and named itSarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota(Peaceful garden of all communities).
Some of the main promises made in the Congress manifesto are:
TheJanata Dal (Secular)kickstarted the Pancharatna Yatra inMulabagiluon 1 November 2022.A road campaign across theOld Mysore region, it has been witnessing a huge turnout in the southern region of the state.
Former chief ministerH. D. Kumaraswamyled the campaign "Pancharatna Yatra" outlined the party's five guarantees. The party pushed its regional appeal with the slogan "a vote to JD(S) is a vote to Kannadiga". Former prime ministerH. D. Deve Gowdawas also a very powerful factor in catching votes for the JD(S). Compared to big national parties BJP and Congress, JD(S) had limited resources and focused only on 45 seats.
JD(S) released its manifesto on 27 April 2023.
Exit polls were published on 10 May 2023.
Indian National Congresswon with a thumping majority, andSiddaramaiah, the MLA fromVaruna ConstituencyinMysuru district, staked a claim to form government, becoming Chief Minister-designate, and met GovernorThawarchand Gehlot.D. K. Shivakumar, MLA fromKanakapura ConstituencyinRamanagara districtwas designated as Deputy Chief Minister, while another 8 MLAs took their oath on 20 May 2023.
Following the election, it was revealed in expenditure reports to theElection Commission of Indiathat the BJP spent ₹196.70 crore ($23.7 million) in poll-related expenses during the election, 43% higher than the Congress's expenditure of ₹136.90 crore ($16.5 million). The report includes money spent on advertisements, travel expenditures of star campaigners, surveys, and candidates.
It was also revealed that in 2018 Karnataka Assembly election campaign the BJP had spent ₹122.68 crore, while the Congress had spent ₹38.48 crore.[1]