Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Apr 29: The political parties are eager to get advance inkling of the things to come on May 23 when the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha election would be taken up. They have been undertaking internal surveys about their winning chances so that they can be mentally prepared for the situation in advance when the result suddenly emerges on that day.

The state Congress has procured one such report about the winning chances of its candidates. It is said that the district in-charge ministers have submitted a report of the result of such an internal audit to in-charge of state Congress affairs, K C Venugopal.

Congress leaders - File photo

It is said as per the predictions made by these ministers, Congress is confident of registering outright victory in ten to 11 seats and in five to six constituencies, it is on borderline as the results in these constituencies might go either way. Reportedly, as per the report, Congress is sure to win Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Koppal, Chikkodi, Haveri, Bagalakote, Chitradurga, Bengaluru rural, Bengaluru (north) and Chamarajanagar constituencies. Constituencies where the party leaders think that the result can go either way are Mysuru, Dharwad, Ballari, Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Bengaluru (central), and Bengaluru (south). The report has exuded confidence that there is good hope for the party in these constituencies too. The state leaders have estimated that party leader, Mallikarjun Kharge, will come out victorious in Kalaburagi constituency although the victory margin might be much lesser than last time.

The party leaders have doubts about the Lingayat votes going into the kitty of the party in this election too. They have taken into account the sway Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has on the masses in north Karnataka region in comparison to individual candidates. Therefore, some of the leaders are less confident about the Lingayats having backed the Congress. But some leaders feel that a big chunk Lingayat votes might have come to their party through flow from voters who support the Congress, although it is not evident overtly.

It is said that as per the calculations made by Congress leaders, JD(S) may win three constituencies, Tumakuru, Hassan, and Shivamogga, out of seven constituencies set aside for this party. It is said that the Congress is not hopeful about Mandya seat going to the JD(S).

As per the estimate, the coalition parties might win 15 to 16 seats and victory in 15 or more seats will be treated as a good performance, sources within the party stated.