Bengaluru: As the counting closed and the BJP falling short of a majority, all the three main parties - the BJP, Congress and the Janata Dal Secular (JDS) rushed to the Governor's residence to stake claim to form a new government. A desperate Congress made made an open, unconditional offer to HD Deve Gowda's JDS to back the regional party and make HD Kumaraswamy the chief minister. Outgoing chief minister Siddaramaiah and Mr Kumaraswamy spoke to the media after meeting the Governor. "The AICC has decided to support JDS. JDS will form government with the help of Congress," Mr Siddaramaiah said. The BJP's BS Yeddyurappa also met the governor, saying he must call the single largest party. Earlier today, celebrations were seen at the BJP offices in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Delhi and other places. BJP workers cheered, burst crackers and chanted "Modi Modi" as they monitored the numbers of giant TV screens. For the election results, votes are being counted for 222 of the 224 assembly seats from 8 am. 72.36 per cent of the five crore eligible voters in Karnataka cast their votes on Saturday last, a notch above the 72 voter turnout recorded in the 2013 state elections. An aggregate of nine exit polls shows the BJP emerging as the largest party with 97 seats, but well short of the majority mark. The Congress will win 90 seats and regional party Janata Dal Secular or JDS 31, according to the poll of exit polls.

On Sunday, Mr Siddaramaiah had said while he is willing to stay on as the chief minister for another term, he would step aside for a Dalit candidate if the party high command so desires. The JDS has said it is the Congress's "responsibility" to reach out if it does not get a majority today.

Here are the highlights on Karnataka election results: