BANGALORE: The much-anticipated assembly elections in Karnataka are likely to be held in April or early May, the Election Commission said on Wednesday.
The Central Election Commissioner will visit the state and hold meetings with top officials in the first week of March or in the first week of April to prepare for the polls. The final date will be announced thereafter.
The term of the 224-member Karnataka assembly ends on May 28 this year.
As per earlier reports, the Election Commission is likely to announce the schedule for Karnataka assembly elections in the second week of April, after the school board examinations are over.
The Bharatiya Janata Party is leaving no stone unturned to turn the tide in favour of the party in the state. The ruling Congress, on the other hand, is trying its best to retain its hold in the state. Karnataka is the only big state, after Punjab, where Congress is currently in power whereas the BJP with its alliance partners has its government in 21 states across the country.
The BJP has already declared former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa as its chief ministerial candidate and the ruling Congress is going to polls under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The
Janata Dal (Secular), which is the third force in the state, has announced its pre-poll tie-up with the Bahujan Samaj Party.
