Bengaluru, May 15: Decimating the Congress government in Karnataka, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is inching towards victory and is all set to form a government in the southern state. BS Yeddyurappa, BJP chief ministerial candidate in Karnataka is all set to return as the new Chief Minister of the State. While Yeddyurappa is ahead in Shikaripura in latest trends against former CM S. Bangarappa of Samajwadi Party, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who contested from two constituencies, is trailing in Chamundeshwari but leading in Badami by a narrow margin.

Earlier this week, Yeddyurappa had said he will give it in writing that the saffron party would win the Karnataka Assembly elections with an absolute majority and get 125 to 130 seats. Yeddyurappa claimed there was a strong wave in BJP’s favour and public ire against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress. He said there was no possibility of a hung Assembly. Catch LIVE updates of Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018 Here 

Yeddyurappa, even at the age of 75 was fielded by the BJP as a Chief Ministerial face by the party in Karnataka Elections 2018. Born in 1943 in Bookanakere village of Mandya district, Yeddyurappa studied in his village and in 1965, he became a clerk in the government's social welfare department.

According to the leads available on the Election Commission of India website, the BJP has won two seats and is leading in 109 others. The Congress is leading in 66 seats and the JD(S) in 38 seats. This paves way for BJP to form the government on its own in the southern state.  It must be noted that the win in Karnataka is likely to bolster BJP's hopes for a re-election of PM Modi in the crucial 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Yeddyurappa, who has been Chief Minister earlier too, said he will waive off loans after taking office as promised in the Bharatiya Janata Party manifesto. Taking a jibe at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the BJP leader said his term was over and he would lose in both places where he contested -- Chamundeshwari and Badami. It must be noted that several exit polls had predicted a neck to neck battle between the Congress and the BJP with the possibility of the Janata Dal-Secular emerging as the kingmaker. The results will be announced on Tuesday.

Polling in 222 constituencies of Karnataka went to polls on May 12.  Yeddyurappa earlier this week claimed that the party will get more than 150 seats and they will form the government in the state. "It is an auspicious day, everyone should come out and vote. We (BJP) will get more than 150 seats and I'm gonna make the government on 17th May," he said.

Yeddyurappa urged the people of Karnataka to vote for BJP and assured them of good governance in the state. "People are fed up with the Siddaramaiah government. I urge the people to come out and vote for BJP. I assure the people of Karnataka that I'm going to give good governance," he told ANI.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 15, 2018 01:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).