Karnataka Elections 2023: Jan Ki Baat- Suvarna News Opinion Poll Predicts Tight Race With BJP Slightly Ahead

An opinion poll commissioned by Asianet News Network and conducted by Jan Ki Baat has predicted the upcoming Karnataka Election 2023 would result in a hung assembly, with no party achieving an absolute majority.

According to the poll, BJP's tally will be powered by a good performance in Kittur Karnataka region and sustaining its domination in Karavalli (Dakshina Karnataka and Uttar Kannada) though the party is expected to suffer significant reverses in Central Karnataka that it swept in 2018 state assembly elections.

The opposition Congress, thanks to its strong pan-state presence, is expected to mount a tough challenge to the ruling BJP.

In Old Mysuru region, the Jan Ki Baat opinion poll predicted that the BJP will win 12 seats while the Congress and JD(S) are predicted to win 23 and 22 seats, respectively. In 2018 Assembly polls, the JD(S) had bagged as many as 27 seats in region, while the Congress and BJP won 17 and 11 seats, respectively. 

In Mumbai Karnataka, BJP is expected to retain its 2019 tally by winning in 31 seats while Congress is expected to win 19 seats.

The Jan Ki Baat opinion poll also predicted that the BJP will win 16 seats while the Congress is predicted to win 3 seats in in Karavalli region (Dakshin and Uttar Kannada)..

In Bengaluru region, BJP and Congress are expected to be evenly matched, according to the poll. While BJP is predicted to win 15 seats and Congress 14 seats, JD(S) is expected to win 3 seats.

Participating in the discussion hosted by Ajit Hanumakkanavar of Asianet Suvarna, Kannada journalist Prashant Natu noted that projected numbers needed to considered with number of caveats including potential fragmentation of Lingayat voters on sub caste basis in light of the series of agitations the state witnessed in the run up to the polls.

The survey was conducted by pollster Pradeep Bhandari and his team of over 50 ground staff.