Huge political drama is unfolding in Karnataka. With no party achieved the magic figure, the political equations are changing rapidly. In a significant step, Congress and JD(S) are going to meet Governor today evening and stake claim to form the next government in Karnataka. Congress wants to inform Governor that it will extend its support to JD(S) and would ask him to invite them to form the government.

Apparently, Sonia Gandhi had telephoned Deve Gowda and even Congress senior leaders are in continuous talks with the JD(S). Congress said to have offered unconditional support to the JD(S), and even stated that it would only support JD(S) from outside the government. Buzz is both Kumaraswamy and Deve Gowda are impressed with Congress’ proposal, however, JD(S) is seeking Congress to be part of the government. Congress is likely to take its final call on joining the government or not.

While Congress is confident of stopping BJP by supporting JD(S), BJP is also equally confident of proving its majority. At the same time, BJP is also planning to meet the Governor today evening and may seek chance to prove its majority to form the next government.

Given that BJP is the single largest party in Karnataka, it is buzzed that Governor may invite BJP first to prove its numbers. Only after BJP fails to prove its majority, Governor may ask the second-largest party Congress to prove its majority. Looks like, it is not easy for both Congress and BJP to claim the throne of Karnataka.

In a minor relief to Navjot Singh Sidhu in a 1988 road rage case which claimed a life, the Supreme Court has reversed the order of Chandigarh High Court that awarded 3-yr-jail term and a fine of Rs 1 Lakh to Sidhu. Sidhu was convicted under section 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and acquitted under section 304 (II)(culpable homicide not amounting to murder) in 1988 road rage case by Supreme Court.

During the arguments in the Supreme court, senior advocate R S Cheema, representing Sidhu, had questioned the evidence brought on record regarding the cause of death of the victim and had also referred to the provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) dealing with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

As per the prosecution, Sidhu and Sandhu were allegedly in a Gypsy parked on the middle of a road near the Sheranwala Gate Crossing in Patiala on December 27, 1988, when the victim and two others were on their way to the bank to withdraw money. It was alleged that when they had reached the crossing, Gurnam Singh, driving a Maruti car, found the Gypsy in the middle of the road and asked the occupants, Sidhu and Sandhu, to remove it. This led to heated argument.

Victim Gurnam Singh was allegedly beaten up by Sidhu who later fled the crime scene. The victim was later taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.

Sidhu was acquitted of the murder charges by the trial court in September 1999. But, the high court had reversed the verdict and held Sidhu and Sandhu guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in December, 2006. It had sentenced them to three-year jail and imposed a fine of Rs one lakh each on the convicts.

Even before the final results of Karnataka are out, BJP is very eager to blame Chandrababu Naidu for the loss of JD(S) and Congress. BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, who is the in-charge of AP, has taken on TDP chief and accused him of putting in a lot of efforts to defeat BJP in Karnataka but failed to attain desired results.

Further more, Ram Madhav claimed BJP increased its tally from six to 20-plus seats in Hyderabad Karnataka where Telugu voters are more. He further stated that BJP ended its long southern drought.

“In Karnataka, TDP and Chandrababu Naidu have used all tactics to dissuade Telugu voters from supporting BJP. But in Hyderabad Karnataka where most Telugus live, BJP has increased its tally from 6 to 20+. People have rejected CBN’s politics. Our Southward March has begun,” said Ram Madhav.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders from AP are also taking full advantage of BJP’s victory in Karnataka polls and leaving no leaf un turned to put Chandrababu in spot. The moot question is how TDP would counter the attack of BJP leaders. Needless to say that BJP mayhem may give more boost to the loud talking of BJP leaders in AP.

Though BJP emerged as the single largest party in Karnataka assembly elections by leading in 105, Congress and JD(S) too have enough numbers to form the government with a coalition. Currently, Congress leads in 78 and JD(S) has 37 that crosses the magic figure – 115. This is now expected to change the present dynamics of the Karnataka.

Congress and JD(S) leaders are currently holding high-level talks. In fact, Congress top brass has offered to make Kumaraswamy as the Chief Minister. Congress senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad is said to be leading talks and is leaving no leaf unturned to bring back non-BJP government. To avoid Modi juggernaut into South, Congress too making its moves swiftly.

Analysts opine that there are two possibilities – either BJP could form its government on its own or JD(S) could form the government with the support of Congress. As of now, the leaders of all the three parties in Karnataka are on toes. Let’s wait and see, what is in store in Karnataka.

After National Awards row which invited anger of President whose office sent a strong letter to PMO, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a huge shock to Union I&B Minister Smriti Irani by ousting her.

Modi anointed Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore as the independent charge as the minister of state in the I&B ministry, in place of Smriti Irani. This is a significant move since PM acted swiftly days after receiving a letter from Rashtrapati Bhavan. However, Smriti retains her textiles portfolio. Although Smriti is known as close to Modi, Modi’s tough decision on Smriti by removing her from crucial I&B ministry is a big shock to even BJP’s senior leaders.

On the other hand, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who also holding Coal Ministry, has been assigned to hold Finance Ministry till Arun Jaitley recovers. Piyush will now hold the Finance, Railways and Coal portfolios simultaneously till Jaitley recuperates.

Initially, Piyush Goyal appointed as Minister of Coal, Power and New and Renewable Energy. He is later given the Railways Ministry in September 2017.

Despite a landslide victory for BJP with a perfect combination of Narendra Modi, Yeddyurappa, Amit Shah and Gali team, actor Sai Kumar has lost badly in Bagepalli constituency where the majority voters of the constituency are Telugus.

Sai Kumar failed to take advantage of huge BJP wave riding in the Karnataka. At 11 AM today, while BJP is all set to win 120 seats and Congress decimated with leading only 60 and JD(S) is standing at 40 and independents are leading in 2 seats.

Bagepalli is the native constituency of Sai Kumar’s mother. However, Sai Kumar has been residing in Hyderabad. Though Sai Kumar had promised to shift to Bagepalli after elections, people seems to have not voted for Sai Kumar. Since the constituency is dominated by Reddy community in the constituency, it also worked against Sai Kumar. As we had rightly opined earlier that it is not easy, Sai couldn’t overcome the odds against him.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been waging a battle against Narendra Modi-led BJP, has responded on the Karnataka results that saw the emergence of BJP as the largest party.

While accepting BJP’s victory and defeat of Congress and JD(S), Mamata has reasoned why Congress and JD(S) lost in Karnataka. Mamata said the result would have been different if Congress had gone into an alliance with the JD(S).

“Congratulations to the winners of the Karnataka elections. For those who lost, fight back. If Congress had gone into an alliance with the JD(S), the result would have been different. Very different,” wrote Mamata Banerjee who is trying to unite all anti-Modi forces and trying to form Federal Front.

Mamata’s insight on Karnataka result certainly has a great significance. It conveys a strong message that united Opposition is the need of the hour to take on Modi and Amit Shah duo. While this has already worked in Uttar Pradesh by polls, Mamata is indicating to all opposition parties that they should keep their differences aside and unite to tackle BJP.

Looks like, bad news is awaiting for the ruling Congress as it is clearly trailing behind BJP. While BJP is leading in over 110 constituencies, Congress is leading only in 68 seats whereas Janata Dal (Secular) is at 42 seats and independents are leading in 2 seats. There is a steep difference between Congress and BJP i.e 40 seats.

Even though Congress is not willing to concede defeat at the moment and declared that all options are open and is in talks with the JD(S), BJP is pretty confident of forming the government.

At the moment, BJP is the single largest party with 110 seats. BJP leaders of Karnataka and other states have already erupted in celebration. The present trends indicate Modi and Amit Shah’s formula has worked. This is seen as a major setback to Congress which is only in ruling in Punjab, Mizoram and Puducherry.

Party – Leads

BJP – 110

Congress – 68

JD(S) – 42