Karnataka’s 14 seats will face polls in Phase Two on April 26 and the remaining 14 in Phase 3 on May 7. BJP aims to maintain or improve its 2019 tally of 25 seats, while Congress hopes to continue its success from the 2023 Vidhan Sabha elections. JD(S) seeks to stay afloat by aligning with BJP, despite facing an existential crisis. The election revolves around the conflict between beneficiaries of state government schemes and those of the central government. Vote transfer issues between JDS and BJP also play a role, as does the presence of historical animosity between Vokkaligas and Lingayats. The BJP heavily relies on Modi’s charisma to overcome local resentments.