New Delhi,

May 8 : With the results indicating a possible resounding victory for the Congress Party, Communications and Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal on Wednesday said the Bharatiya Janata Party will remain in third place in the general elections as well.

"Looks like the BJP will meet the same fate in the general elections. They will remain in third place in the general elections as well," Sibal told media here.

As per the latest trends, Congress is leading in 112 of the 223 seats up for grabs, while the ruling BJP is leading in 36.

Janata Dal-Secular candidates were leading in 42, while the Karnataka Janatha Paksha, which is led by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, is leading in 13 seats.

Counting of votes for the Karnataka Assembly elections, which witnessed a 70.23 per cent voter turnout on May 5, began this morning at 8 a.m. amidst tight security.

The results of the vote count will decide who will occupy each of the 223 seats up for grabs in the state assembly.

All district administrations have made necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth counting of votes, as most of the final results of which are expected around noon today. The final tally will be announced this evening.

In each of the counting centres, 14 tables have been arranged to count votes cast in each constituency. It will be managed by counting officials, supervisors, assistants and micro observers.

Elections in Periyapatna has been postponed till May 28 following the death of BJP candidate.

In the 2008 elections, BJP secured 110 seats, three short of majority and formed the government with the help of five independents who were made ministers. Congress bagged 80 seats and JD-S 28. The overall voter turnout then was 64.91 per cent.

source:http://in.news.yahoo.com