Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MM)

Mangalore, May 8: The pre-poll survey done by Indian Express and Asianet Suvarna channel indicated that Congress will get 45 seats in 89 constituencies in the first phase of polling in the state. This clearly signifies that Congress will form the government in the state, said B Janardhan Poojary, former chairman of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

Speaking to media persons on Thursday, May 8, he said that the areas where the first phase of polling will be held belong to old Mysore province where JD (S) proved dominant during the last election. But this time Congress will overtake JD (S). Former deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah’s entry into Congress from JD (S) has also helped Congress to grow here, he opined.

The earlier surveys done by CNN-IBN and Deccan Herald have also pointed that Congress will form government in the state with clear majority. All these surveys conducted by the media clearly signify that the voters are expecting a stable government in the state and hence have opted for Congress. As per intelligence reports, Congress will stand first in the coastal region also, he added.

A B Vajpayee was ruling in the country as Prime Minister while former chief minister Bangarappa was in BJP during the last assembly elections. This had helped BJP to get more seats in the state. But there are no such factors favouring BJP this time, he said.

Former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa is engaged in delivering vague statements like assuring ministerial post for a Muslim MLA in his cabinet. But why did not he give BJP ticket to any Muslim candidate, he questioned.

Minorities are not begging ministerial posts with any party. It is their right to get the post as they are also citizens of India, he said.

Congress spokesperson M G Hegde, well-known Congress leaders Suresh Ballal, Kodinjal Ibrahim, Mangalore City Corporation former mayor Purandardas Kuloor and others were present at press meet.