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As part of its southern focus, the BJP had invested much pride and hardwork to net as much as possible from the 131 seats on offer from the fiver southern states–Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and the two UTs of Lakshadweep and Puducherry.
According to the latest EC update, BJP was leading in 18 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka while its ally JD(S) was ahead in three. Ruling Congress’ nominees were leading in seven seats.
Among the key candidates that were ahead of their rivals were suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, arrested recently by the police over allegations of sexually abusing several women, with his purported act also being filmed.
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It was a close contest in Congress-ruled Telangana. While the ruling party was leading in eight seats, the BJP was ahead in seven. AIMIM and BRS were leading in one seat each.
The blocs led by DMK and Congress were surging ahead in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, respectively, amid ample indications that they might yet again sweep the polls in the two southern states that have always eluded the BJP any major electoral gains. The respective blocs had decisive clinched the polls in 2019 as well in the two states.
According to the latest trends made available for 38 of the 39 seats by the EC for Tamil Nadu, the DMK was leading in 20. The alliance’ nominees were ahead in 36 seats. Opposition AIADMK and NDA constituent PMK were leading in one seat each.
Kerala was on its way for another Congress-led UDF sweep and the opposition party was leading in 13 of the 20 seats, with its ally IUML ahead in two. UDF constituents KEC and RSP were ahead in one seat each.
BJP was leading in two, including Thrissur and the ruling CPI (M) in one segment, according to the latest EC updates.
Congress was leading in Lakshadweep and NDA-ruled Puducherry as well.