Congress-led INDIA bloc to come to power after LS polls: DK Shivakumar

Speaking to reporters after a party meeting at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office, he said, "The Congress-led INDIA bloc will come to power this time. I am confident that INDIA bloc will govern the country after this election.

Shivakumar was replying to a question on Arvind Kejriwal's statement that Modi will be PM only for a year even if BJP comes to power.

Replying to a query on the Legislative Council elections, he said, "We have discussed the candidate selection for the Teachers' and Graduates' constituencies with our party leaders and office bearers. We have instructed all party leaders, right from the block Congress heads, to fight this election unitedly. B Forms have been issued to the party candidates."

Asked if the party would adopt the Lok Sabha election model for the Legislative Council elections, he said, "Yes, we would adopt the same strategy we adopted for the Lok Sabha elections."

Replying to a query on the BJP and JDS alliance for the Legislative Council elections, he said, "Let them have a permanent alliance or even merge with each other. We don't have any objection. It is their internal matter."

Voting for 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka was held in two phases. While 14 seats were polled on April 26, the remaining 14 voted on May 7. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP almost swept the state by winning 25 out of 28 seats. While, Congress and JD-S -- who were in coalition in the state government -- could only win one seat each. (ANI)