Man behind Hijab ban loses
In a major blow to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party, the main opposition Congress party secured victory in the Karnataka state election.
The BJP has been ousted from office in Karnataka, the only southern state controlled by the Hindu nationalist grouping, a year ahead of national polls.
The results of the Karnataka Assembly polls, which took place on May 10, show Congress leading in 122 of the 224 seats and BJP leading in 71 others, The Indian Express reported Saturday.
Congress leaders like DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, Priyank Kharge, Laxman Savadi and Satish Jarkiholi are among the early winners in the state.
In its first official reaction to the Karnataka Assembly results, Congress said PM Modi had “lost” as the BJP had declared its election campaign “a referendum” on the PM. Karnataka has a population of well over 60 million people — about the same as Britain — and its capital Bengaluru is India’s tech hub.-Agencies