In Karnataka, today is the last day to withdraw nominations for the Assembly election. The scrutiny of 5834 nominations filed by 3945 candidates concluded and as per latest reports 253 nominations are rejected by the returning officers.

The total number of electorate has now increased to four crore 36 lakh. Earlier the voters strength stood at four crore 18 lakh.

The Congress is announcing the campaign plan of national leaders today and BJP will begin its campaign from tomorrow where the national leaders including L K Advani are taking part.

The JD(S) leaders Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy are touring the state as part of the campaign. KJP President B S Yeddyurappa will begin campaigning in Bangalore this evening after touring various parts of north Karnataka.

BSR Congress and other parties too have launched their election campaigns.