Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE: 52.18% voter turnout till 3 PM; Incidents of violence reported in three places

16:50 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Woman gives birth at polling booth in Kurlagindi village

In a rare incident, a 23 year-old woman today gave birth to a baby at a polling booth in Kurlagindi village of Ballari in the poll-bound Karnataka. Female officials and women voters helped her to deliver the baby.

16:23 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Kannada actor Dhruva Sarja casts vote in Bengaluru

#KarnatakaElections | Kannada actor Dhruva Sarja cast his vote in Bengaluru today. pic.twitter.com/rmjswAUUoM— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

16:16 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

BJP wants to win Karnataka elections with 'money, power', alleges Congress leader Siddaramaiah

Former Karnataka chief minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Wednesday alleged that the ruling BJP wants to win the Assembly election with “money power” as they “do not have any developmental works to showcase” to the people. He also charged Prime Minister Narendra Modi with being silent on price rise, unemployment and corruption in the state during his series of public meetings while campaigning for the elections taking place today.

16:05 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

23 arrested after poll official manhandled, ballot units damaged in Karnataka village

Villagers of Masabinala in Vijayapura district stopped a poll duty vehicle carrying electronic voting machines (EVMs), manhandled an officer and damaged control and ballot units on Wednesday following which 23 people were arrested, the Election Commission said.

The villagers stopped a section officer's vehicle which was carrying reserved EVMs for the Assembly elections and damaged two control and ballot units each and three VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail), the EC said in a statement.             

"Sector officer was manhandled. 23 people arrested", the EC said, adding, top district officials rushed to the village, which comes under Basavana Bagewadi Assembly segment.

According to Police sources, the villagers' "action" came after "rumours" that officials were "changing" the EVMs and VVPATs.

15:47 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

52.18% voter turnout till 3 PM

Poll-bound Karnataka has recorded 52.18 per cent voter turnout till 3 pm.

52.03% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm, in #KarnatakaElections pic.twitter.com/NTUHWz03Sv— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

15:24 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Violent incidents reported in at least three places

At least three locations reported violent occurrences during voting for the Karnataka Assembly elections on Wednesday, according to police sources.

Following "rumours" that the officials were "changing" the EVMs and VVPATs, several irate villagers damaged polling officer vehicles and destroyed some electronic voting machines and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machines in Masabinal village in Basavana Bagewadi taluk of Vijayapura district.

Some young people in Bengaluru's Padmanabhanagar constituency attacked political rivals in a voting location at Papaiah Garden while armed with sticks. The reports claimed that during their rampage, a handful of the women waiting in queue to cast ballots suffered injuries.

In the Ballari district's Sanjeevarayanakote, some BJP and Congress members exchanged punches.

15:07 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Haradanahalli saw all-around development, says former PM Deve Gowda

Following his vote, he said, that it is a little community and that there has been general progress. After casting his ballot at his hometown hamlet of Haradanahalli in the Hassan district, JD(S) leader and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda said HD Revanna, who represents this constituency, deserves praise.

#WATCH | "It's a small village. All round development has taken place. Credit should go to HD Revanna, who represents this constituency," says JD(S) chief and former Prime Minister HD Devegowda after casting his vote at his native village Haradanahalli in Hassan district… pic.twitter.com/FOSPR1ldBm— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

15:03 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

No alliance with JD(S), will form govt on our own, says Cong's DK Shivakumar

With Karnataka polls already underway, Congress Chief DK Shivakumar has made a major announcement saying that the party will not ally with Janata Dal (Secular) since he is confident that his party will get an absolute majority in the assembly.

“Here the issue is price rise, corruption, good governance and development. There are no chances of alliance with JD(S). We will form the government on our own,” Shivakumar told reporters after casting his vote here in elections to Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

Shivakumar’s comments were echoed by former chief minister Siddaramaiah who too expressed confidence that Congress will secure a majority in the state, paving the way for a single-party rule.

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14:55 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

BJP will form government in Karnataka, says Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

#WATCH | Delhi: BJP's govt will be formed in Karnataka: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal pic.twitter.com/Yl6fMgVvRf— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

14:41 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

‘Doing some kind of puja atleast,’ BJP MP Tejasvi's dig at Congress

Tejasvi Surya, a member of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), mocked the Congress party on Wednesday by claiming that "at least it is worshipping something."

"Suddenly, the Congress party has started praying to everything -- whether it is visiting Bajrang Bali temples last week or seeing God in gas cylinders."

14:24 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Cast vote after looking at cooking gas cylinders, Shivakumar appeals to Karnataka voters

DK Shivakumar, the head of the Karnataka Congress, urged the citizens of Karnataka to cast their ballots after 'looking at petrol cylinders' on Wednesday.

Prior to casting his ballot, Shivakumar prayed at the Kenkeramma temple.

"I am appealing to everyone, please cast a vote by looking at our gas cylinders. I have advised all my leaders to put a (cooking) gas cylinder outside the booth and put a garland on it," Shivakumar told reporters.

The Congress said that people were suffering because of the high cost of some necessities while also accusing the BJP administration of failing to control inflation.

14:13 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

"Will not form alliance with JD(S)": Karnataka Congress chief Shivakumar

DK Shivakumar, the leader of the Karnataka Congress, rejected a post-election coalition with the Janata Dal (Secular) JD(S) on Wednesday and expressed confidence that his party would win a resounding majority in the 224-seat legislature.

"Here the issue is price rise, corruption, good governance and development. There are no chances of alliance with JD(S). We will form the government on our own," Shivakumar told reporters after casting his vote here in elections to Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

Earlier in the day, former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah too expressed confidence that the Congress will secure an absolute majority, saying it could get 130-150 seats.

Shivakumar further appealed to the people of Karnataka to consider "inflation" in the BJP-ruled state and come out and vote.

13:42 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

BJP wants to win Karnataka elections with 'money power', alleges Congress leader Siddaramaiah

The governing BJP, according to the former chief minister of Karnataka and prominent Congress figure Siddaramaiah, intends to win the Assembly election with "money power" since they "do not have any developmental works to showcase" to the electorate.

Additionally, he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of remaining mute throughout his series of public meetings while campaigning for the elections that are taking place today on price increases, unemployment, and corruption in the state.

"Money has been flowing (in the election). Now what else BJP has (done) to go to the voters other than giving them money? What can they say about the state except that they have money? What development have they made?" the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, who is contesting from Varuna in Mysuru district, said.

13:40 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

37.25% voter turnout recorded till 1pm

37.25% voter turnout recorded till 1 pm, in #KarnatakaElections pic.twitter.com/YldlIoQwvg— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

13:21 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

996 'sakhi' booths set up by the Election Commission

The Election Commission of Karnataka has set up 996 "sakhi booths" in total. According to the ECI, these polling places are entirely run by women, establishing a good example of female empowerment.

13:18 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

BJP minister Pralhad Joshi votes in Hubli with family

Pralhad Joshi, a minister for the union, voted on Wednesday and afterwards posted a picture of it on Twitter.

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ವಿಧಾನಸಭಾ 2023ರ ಚುನಾವಣೆ ಯ ನಿಮಿತ್ತ ಇಂದು ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಟುಂಬದವರೊಂದಿಗೆ ನಾಗಶೆಟ್ಟಿಕೊಪ್ಪದ ವಿವೇಕಾನಂದ ನಗರದ ರೋಟರಿ ಶಾಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮತ ಚಲಾವಣೆ ಮಾಡಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಮತದಾನದ ಹಕ್ಕನ್ನು ಚಲಾಯಿಸಿದೆನು.#KarnatakaAssemblyElection2023 #KarnatakaElection

(1/3) pic.twitter.com/ZPrWpByayk— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) May 10, 2023

13:08 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, wife cast their votes

At a voting place in Kalaburagi, Mallikarjun Kharge, the national president of the Congress, and his wife Radhabai Kharge cast their ballots.

#WATCH | #KarnatakaElections | Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and his wife Radhabai Kharge cast their votes at a polling booth in Kalaburagi. pic.twitter.com/Z6BH4uqwyY— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

12:38 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Kharge says Congress will win over 130 seats

“Congress party will win the election with a thumping majority…We will get more than 130-135 seats,” said Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge.

#WATCH | Kalaburagi | Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge says, "...Congress party will win the election with a thumping majority...We will get more than 130-135 seats."#KarnatakaElections pic.twitter.com/1VGhz9dFUz— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

12:20 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

People will vote for change, progressive K'taka, says DK Shivakumar 

DK Shivakumar said that since the young voters are intelligent and talented, they will make suitable decisions.

He also added that they will remove the corrupt government and elect a Congress government.

"Late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had reduced the age of voters from 21 years to 18 years. They will vote for a change, change for a democratic and global Karnataka. They know about the price rise, corruption in the government and I am sure they will vote for a change", he stated.

12:11 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

'Modi's magic will give us majority', says former CM Yediyurappa's son BY Vijayendra

BJP leader BY Vijayendra who is also the son of former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said that he is confident about his party’s victory in the state and that BJP will secure 135 seats in the Karnataka Elections 2023.

Vijayendra exercised his right to franchise from the Shivamogga constituency. “Modi’s magic will give us the absolute majority. We will win at least 130 seats in this election. Not only the Lingayat community, but all other castes are also with BJP. Congress will lose the election very badly,” he said.

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11:52 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

20.99% voter turnout recorded till 11 am, in Karnataka Elections

20.99% voter turnout recorded till 11 am, in #KarnatakaElections pic.twitter.com/Tolo6af49C— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

11:46 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

BJP will win Karnataka elections with record number of seats, asserts CM Bommai

Basavaraj Bommai, the chief minister of Karnataka, voiced optimism on Wednesday that the BJP will win a clear majority in the next election.

Bommai, who is running for re-election from the Shiggaon sector for a fourth straight term, told reporters after casting his ballot at a government school in the Haveri region that he will win by a record margin.

“So is the BJP, which is going to win with a record number of seats. Comfortable majority will be there,” he predicted.

11:43 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

If we don't vote, we have no rights to criticise: Software icon Narayana Murthy

NR Narayana Murthy, a co-founder of the large IT company Infosys, and his novelist wife Sudha Murthy voted in the Karnataka Assembly elections on Wednesday and encouraged others to do the same.

"First, we vote and then we say this is good and this is not good. But if we don't do that, then we have no rights to criticise," 76-year-old Narayana Murthy stated here in the morning after using his franchise.

11:38 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

HD Kumaraswamy casts his vote in Ramanagara

HD Kumaraswamy, a former chief minister of Karnataka and JDS leader, votes in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly Election in Ramanagara with his family.

#WATCH | "We are requesting people to bless JDS candidates to get proper development. Our party will going to be a King," says Former Karnataka CM & JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy after casting his vote #KarnatakaAssemblyElection2023 pic.twitter.com/6nyuWLQ0gc— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

11:24 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Congress workers were seen putting garlands on LPG gas cylinders

In some locations, Congress employees were seen burning incense sticks around LPG gas cylinders and decorating them with garlands. The tendency of pre-voting rituals has been noticed by Kannadigas, according to Congress, who tweeted about it.

#WATCH | Congress workers garland an LPG gas cylinder and burn incense sticks near it, in Bengaluru's Rajarajeshwari Nagar area#KarnatakaAssemblyElection2023 pic.twitter.com/f3v8XBwswS— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

11:15 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Congress will win over 130 seats, says Siddaramaiah

The former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said that he had been constantly saying that Congress will get 130 plus seats. The Congress leader also said that Congress may get up to 150 seats as well.

#WATCH | "I've been constantly saying that Congress will get 130 plus seats, it may go up to 150 seats also," says Former Karnataka CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah#KarnatakaAssemblyElection2023 pic.twitter.com/65LX8TODut— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

11:10 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Actor Upendra Rao casts his vote

At a voting station in Bengaluru for the Karnataka Elections 2023, actor Upendra Rao casts his ballot.

#WATCH | Actor Upendra Rao casts his vote for #KarnatakaElections2023, at a polling booth in Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/tqSbieqyot— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

11:06 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah casts his vote

Siddaramaiah, a former chief minister of Karnataka and a Congress candidate from the Varuna seat, casts his ballot in the state of Karnataka.

#WATCH | Former Karnataka CM and Congress candidate from Varuna constituency, Siddaramaiah casts his vote for #KarnatakaElection pic.twitter.com/SPjUIzCOcF— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

11:03 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Congress leader G Parameshwara votes in Tumakuru

G Parameshwara, a former deputy chief minister of Karnataka and a prominent member of the Congress, voted on Wednesday at Siddharth Nagar, Tumakuru.

Former Chief Minister of Karnataka and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa and current Chief Minister of Karnataka Bommai have already cast their votes.

10:57 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Congress's Priyank Kharge says polling stopped in Chamnur booth

Priyank Kharge, an incumbent MLA running for the Congress party in the Chittapur assembly district, said that voting had "stopped in booth #178 (in) Chamnur village as the Presiding Officer is prompting/influencing people to vote for BJP."

Polling stopped in Booth #178 Chamnur village as the Presiding Officer is prompting/influencing people to vote for BJP.— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) May 10, 2023

10:51 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Congress tally might rise to 150 seats, says Siddaramaiah on Karnataka Elections 2023

Congress leader and former chief minister K Siddaramaiah expressed his confidence in the party's success in the Karnataka assembly elections 2023, predicting that "Congress will get 130 plus seats, it may go up to 150 seats also," according to news agency ANI.

10:48 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

FM Sitharaman hits out at Congress, says Opposition has 'no right' to speak about inflation

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said people of the country should not be burdened by inflation and the Opposition has “no right” to speak about it.

Sitharaman was among the early voters to exercise her franchise in Karnataka elections 2023. The minister cast her vote at a polling station in Bengaluru.

“…On inflation, I am with the public that yes, there should not be a burden on them, but the Opposition has no right (to speak on it). They should look at their own tenure. From 2014 to today, a lot of steps have been taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.”

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10:43 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

BRS leader K Kavitha urges Karnataka electors to reject 'hatred', vote for 'development'

On Wednesday, K Kavitha, a BRS MLC and daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, urged Karnataka people to vote for growth and prosperity without specifying any particular political party.

"Dear Karnataka, Reject Hatred! Vote for development, prosperity & well-being of the society and the people," she said in a tweet.

Voting for the high-stakes Assembly elections in Karnataka began at 7 am today.

Dear Karnataka,

Reject Hatred!

Vote for development , prosperity & well-being of the society and the people.— Kavitha Kalvakuntla (@RaoKavitha) May 10, 2023

10:35 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

'People have decided to choose progressive, welfare-oriented govt,' says Congress President Kharge

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that the people of Karnataka have decided to choose a progressive, transparent and welfare-oriented government. His comments came as voting is underway for 224 assemblies with 2,615 candidates in the fray.

Kharge, on Twitter, urged voters to come out and take part in the democratic process for a better future for Karnataka.

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10:30 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

200% confident Congress will win 141 seats, says DK Shivakumar

Karnataka Congress president and party’s candidate from Kanakapura DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that young voters have a great opportunity to vote for a change and expressed confidence that the party will win at least 141 seats and form the government with absolute majority.

“I am 200% confident Congress party will win 141 seats. We will win an absolute majority..,” said Shivakumar.

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10:24 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Land of Bajrang Bali (Karnataka) will respond to Congress on 13 May, says Bengaluru MP Tejasvi Surya

Tejasvi Surya, a member of parliament for Bengaluru South, declared after voting that "Karnataka which is the land of Bajrang Bali will answer all these things on 13th May."

"We welcome DK Shivakumar and Congress party offering prayers to LPG cylinders, we are happy that Congress is doing some kind of puja at least," he said.

#WATCH | "Karnataka which is the land of Bajrang Bali will answer all these things on 13th May. We welcome DK Shivakumar and Congress party offering prayers to LPG cylinders, we are happy that Congress is doing some kind of puja at least," says BJP MP Tejasvi Surya… pic.twitter.com/2xL9H1pKWJ— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

10:17 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje urges voters to vote for good govt

Shobha Karandlaje, a union minister and BJP leader, arrives at a voting location in Bengaluru to cast her ballot in the Karnataka Elections 2023.

She added that voters should come to polling booths and vote in high percentage and bring a good government.

#WATCH | Union Minister & BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje arrives at a polling booth in Bengaluru to cast her vote for #KarnatakaElections pic.twitter.com/m0oOukUiJq— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

10:13 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Former Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar casts his vote

In the Karnataka Assembly Election, Jagadish Shettar, a former chief minister of Karnataka and a candidate for the Congress, voted in the Hubli-Dharwad Central Assembly seat.

Jagadish Shettar, former Karnataka CM and Congress candidate from Hubli-Dharwad Central Assembly constituency cast his vote for #KarnatakaAssemblyElection2023 pic.twitter.com/3QwDbltzAf— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

10:08 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

8.26% voter turnout recorded till 9 am

According to the Voter Turnout app, 8.26 per cent voter turnout has been recorded till 9 am, in Karnataka Assembly Election.

10:05 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Oppn has no right to speak on inflation, says Nirmala Sitharaman after casting her vote

The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who voted at an early voting location in Bengaluru on Wednesday, stated that the public shouldn't be burdened by inflation but that the opposition has no right to comment on the subject.

"On inflation, I am with the public that yes, there should not be a burden on them but the Opposition has no right (to speak on it). They should look at their own tenure," Nirmala Sitharaman said while talking to reporters after casting her vote here in the Karnataka Assembly elections.

10:02 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

'I will win by a record margin', says CM Bommai after casting his vote

On the day of the Karnataka Polls, Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai urged people to come out and cast their votes for “the development of the State.”

After casting his vote, the chief minister said, “I’ve voted and done my duty towards democracy. It’s a privilege to vote in my constituency. I will win by a record margin. People of Karnataka will vote for positive development and BJP will get a comfortable majority.”

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09:59 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

First time voters welcomed

The young voters who were voting for the first time were welcomed in polling booth 125 of Chikmagalur district.

ಚಿಕ್ಕಮಂಗಳೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ 125ರ ಮತಗಟ್ಟೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಥಮ ಬಾರಿಗೆ ಮತ ಚಲಾಯಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಯುವ ಮತದಾರರಿಗೆ ಸ್ವಾಗತ ಕೋರಲಾಯಿತು.@SpokespersonECI @ECISVEEP @DEO_CHIKMAGALUR #KarnatakaAssemblyElection2023 pic.twitter.com/Lz2EG0p5tZ— Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka (@ceo_karnataka) May 10, 2023

09:48 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

People should come out and vote, says former Karnataka CM

Former Karnataka CM & BJP leader Sadananda Gowda says that people should come out and vote.

He added that the assurances given by BJP have been fulfilled and he hoped that people will accept the party whose assurances have been fulfilled.

#WATCH | "People should come out and vote. The assurances given by my party have been fulfilled and I hope that people will accept the party whose assurances have been fulfilled," says Former Karnataka CM & BJP leader Sadananda Gowda#KarnatakaElections pic.twitter.com/d85rdiN78N— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

09:36 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

BJP MP from Dharwad constituency, Pralhad Joshi, arrives at a polling booth

Pralhad Joshi, a union minister and BJP member from the Dharwad district comes at a Hubballi polling location to cast his vote in the Karnataka Assembly Election.

"I'm happy that people are celebrating this festival of democracy in a big way. People are interested to bring BJP's double-engine govt. BJP will form govt on its own," he says

#WATCH | Union Minister and BJP MP from Dharwad constituency, Pralhad Joshi, arrives at a polling booth in Hubballi to cast his vote for #KarnatakaAssemblyElection2023

"I'm happy that people are celebrating this festival of democracy in a big way. People are interested to bring… pic.twitter.com/dKzm3o6va8— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

09:34 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

DK Shivakumar offers prayers at Sri Kenkeramma Temple

DK Shivakumar, president of the Karnataka Congress and the party's candidate for Kanakapura, offers prayers at the Sri Kenkeramma Temple at Kanakapura, Ramanagara. Alongside him is his brother, DK Suresh, a Congress MP.

#WATCH | #KarnatakaElections | Karnataka Congress president and party's candidate from Kanakapura, DK Shivakumar offers prayers at Sri Kenkeramma Temple in Kanakapura, Ramanagara.

His brother and party MP DK Suresh is also with him. pic.twitter.com/mWII5XkgMJ— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

09:31 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Nirmala Sitharaman, Yediyurappa and Narayana Murthy among early voters in Karnataka Assembly elections

In the Karnataka Assembly elections on Wednesday, early voters included Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa, veteran of the IT sector N.R. Narayana Murthy and his wife Sudha Murthy, and 'Rajamate' Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the Mysuru royal family.

During the early voting period, which started at 7 am, Siddalinga Swamiji, seer of the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru, actor Ramesh Arvind, senior Congress politician G Parameshwara, and ministers R Ashoka, Araga Jnanendra, C N Ashwath Narayan, and K Sudhakar all exercised their right to vote.

In Bengaluru's Jayanagar neighbourhood, Sitharaman, a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, cast her ballot with Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murthy.

09:09 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Rahul Gandhi asks voters to build '40% commission-free', progressive Karnataka

Rahul Gandhi, the former president of the Congress, asked Karnataka voters to cast their ballots in big numbers on Wednesday in order to create a progressive and "40% commission-free" state.

Voting for the crucial Assembly elections in Karnataka started early on Wednesday. The incumbent BJP is hoping to make history by keeping hold of its southern stronghold while a feisty Congress is looking to make a return ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In a tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said, "Karnataka's vote for 5 guarantees, for women's rights, for youth employment, for the upliftment of the poor. Come, vote in large numbers."      

कर्नाटक का वोट…

5 गारंटी के लिए,
महिलाओं के अधिकार के लिए,
युवाओं के रोज़गार के लिए,
गरीबों के उत्थान के लिए।

आएं, ज़्यादा से ज़्यादा संख्या में मतदान करें,
‘40% कमीशन’ मुक्त, प्रगतिशील कर्नाटक का साथ में निर्माण करें।#CongressWinning150 pic.twitter.com/3ycwYtabcN— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 10, 2023

09:01 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Sudha Murty casts vote in Bengaluru; asks youth to learn from 'oldies' and vote

Voting is a sacred part of democracy” said Sudha Murty after casting her vote at Jayanagar, Bengaluru. She also asked the youth to learn from ‘oldies’ and cast their vote.

#WATCH | Jayanagar, Bengaluru | Sudha Murty gives a message to young voters after casting her vote; says, "Please look at us. We are oldies but we get up at 6 o'clock, come here and vote. Please learn from us. Voting is a sacred part of democracy..."#KarnatakaElections pic.twitter.com/B1ecZCH93M— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

08:57 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Kannada actress Amulya casts her vote in Bengaluru

Amulya, a Kannada actress, and her husband cast their ballots at RR Nagar, Bengaluru.

#WATCH | #KarnatakaAssemblyElection2023 | Kannada actress Amulya and her husband cast their votes at a polling booth in RR Nagar, Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/7T8BXynRro— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023

08:48 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Nirmala Sitharaman on Bajrang Dal row

"We always read Hanuman Chalisa and offer prayers to Bajrang Bali, but they (Congress) do this during the election...They mentioned that in their manifesto, this is an example of stupidity," said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman after casting her vote in Bengaluru.

#WATCH | On Bajrang Dal-Bajrang Bali row during #KarnatakaElections, FM Sitharaman says, "We always read Hanuman Chalisa and offer prayers to Bajrang Bali, but they (Congress) do this during the election...They mentioned that in their manifesto, this is an example of stupidity." pic.twitter.com/J4Wxf4xSua— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2023