The Congress won the Karnataka state election by securing the most votes in rural and poor areas, according to the Election Commission of India. The BJP had a better vote share in urban areas, while the Congress had almost equal support in both. The swing towards Congress by Lingayat community voters across key rural belts helped the party to victory. The election was fought over local issues, including three consecutive droughts, the government’s inability to address farm issues and the BJP’s decision to allow firms to buy agricultural land without government approval.
