Cong storms back to power

• Yeddy's KJP decimated as a poor fourth
• JD (S) manages to bag 40 seats, same as BJP
• Corruption and groupism went against BJP
• Congress attributes victory to Rahul's campaign
• PM: Clear verdict against BJP ideology

New Delhi :A The Congress has wrested the southern State of Karnataka from the BJP and is all set to form the government on its own, getting a comfortable majority. KJP leader B S Yeddyuruppa, who walked out of the BJP prior to the elections, failed to emerge as kingmaker, as his party was decimated and pushed to the poor fourth position after the BJP and the JD (S). Corruption and groupism went against the ruling BJP. The Congress victory at this juncture brings in a sigh of relief for its leaders, particularly Rahul Gandhi, who campaigned in the state and succeeded in bringing the party back to power. It is also seen as a snub to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who campaigned for his party but could not work any magic. Both are aspiring for the topmost post of Prime Minister after the crucial Lok Sabha polls in 2014. It was only recently that the Congress had also routed BJP in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. With elections to five States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Mizoram slated in October-November, the BJP will have to set its house in order and iron out the differences of its senior leaders if it has to act in unison.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi said, "I am very happy with the victory in Karnataka. It was a joint effort." Prime Minister Manmohan Singh praised the efforts of Rahul Gandhi, saying he took a "leading role" in the campaign. "It is a clear result against the ideology of the BJP, which has been ruling in the state of Karnataka," he said outside Parliament House. Prominent losers included KPCC president G Parameshwara and former Union Minister and Congress leader C M Ibrahim, Anita Kumaraswamy, who is the wife of JD (S) leader H D Kumaraswamy and KJP leader Shobha Karandjale, a close confidante of KJP leader B S Yeddyurappa. Presently, the blame is being put on the shoulders of NDA Working Chairman L K Advani for the ouster of B S Yeddyurappa, with a section of the BJP leaders pushing for his re-induction into the party. Interestingly, Yeddy's ouster from the BJP has helped neither of the two in the State Assembly polls. Since no leader was projected as the Chief Ministerial candidate by the party, Sonia Gandhi would take a decision shortly as and when the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting was convened in the state. Frontrunners for the post are the outgoing CLP leader Siddaramaiah and Union Labour Minister M Mallikarjun Kharge. Others include KPCC president G Parmeshwara and D K Shiv Kumar. Except for Kharge and G Parameshwara, who are Dalits, others belong to the Backward Community. Kharge is lobbying for the post, as so far no one from the Dalit community has become the Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah, who is the frontrunner, is being opposed by others, as he has the image of an arrogant leader. "He will just be another Bangarappa," remarked a senior State Congress leader. While Parmeshwara lost his own seat, there is a case against Shiv Kumar that is still continuing.