National Approval Ratings: In politically complex Karnataka, it's likely to be a tie between UPA and NDA

With the 2019 Lok Sabha elections looming ever larger, the political scenario in the country is currently in a state of flux, with parties desperately figuring out seat-sharing terms, snubbing or accepting each other with respect to alliances, or fielding their big names in various states. Republic TV and CVoter are back with the National Approval Ratings to give a complete national picture as to who will win if polls are held today. 

In a politically significant Karnataka, here are the projections for seat and vote share: 

In terms of seat share, in the 28-seat state, the UPA and NDA are likely to win an equal number of seats i.e. 14 seats each. However, this projection entails a 4-seat drop for NDA in comparison December approval projection. 

Seat Share:

• UPA: 14 seats
• NDA: 14 seats

Vote Share:

• UPA: 47.9%
• NDA: 44.0%
• Others: 8.1%

Read: National Approval Ratings: Despite JD(S)-Congress Ruling Alliance In Karnataka, BJP Projected To Retain Single-largest Party Tag

In comparision to December's Approval Ratings, the projection reveals BJP's vote share has gone down from 44.3% to 44%, while the Congress is projected to have racked up minor gains, from 37.6% to 47.9%. 

The election year 2019 started off with India’s opposition appearing largely unwilling to acquiesce to Rahul Gandhi's proposal of the Congress serving as a platform for regional parties to come together in order to defeat the BJP. Despite the Congress successes in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, in Uttar Pradesh, the much-heralded Mahagathbandhan turned out to just be a 'Gathbandhan' as old enemies Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati left the Congress out, forming an SP-BSP alliance. Left on its own, the Congress resolved to contest every one of the state's 80 seats and proceeded to formally induct Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into the party, appointing her and Jyotiraditya Scindia as General Secretaries for Uttar Pradesh. Elsewhere, former Gujarat CM Shankarsinh Vaghela is to join the NCP, while the Congress alliance with the TDP in Andhra Pradesh is also in doubt. Meanwhile, the BJP and Shiv Sena may have witnessed a thaw in their relationship with the Maharashtra government sanctioning Rs 100 crore for a Balasaheb Thackeray memorial. 

On issues concerning large numbers of people, the government passed a constitutional amendment giving a green signal to provide 10 percent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to economically weaker sections in the general category, while numerous agrarian schemes that needn't necessarily be farm-loan waivers have also been spoken of in the lead-up to the Modi government's final budget.