Bangalore, May 9 : The Congress Party has evinced confidence of winning maximum number seats in the Karnataka state Assembly polls.

Talking to ANI before the first phase of polling, SM Krishna, the face of the Congress for these assembly elections in Karnataka, said that the first phase was crucial and the party will get a decisive mandate.

Krishna, who is in charge of Karnataka Congress party's election, expressed confidence over coming back to power in the state.

He however, felt that it is going to be triangular fight between the Congress, the BJP and the JD-S.

Krishna also indicated that after the elections he would take the responsibility given by the party.

Meanwhile, the BJP has said that it is not lagging behind in the race.

Addressing a BJP General secretary HN Ananthakumar said that the party would get a comfortable majority in the first phase, which will be an indicator of the results.

The Janata Dal (Secular) led by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, which has fielded candidates in all the 89 seats, is hoping to play an important role in new government formation in Karnataka after the polls.

Security has been beefed up ahead of first phase of Karnataka Assembly poll, as 89 constituencies of the 224 member house spread over 11 Districts will go to the polls on Saturday.

The state police are working hard to ensure peaceful and safe elections in Karnataka. Some polling booths have been declared as hypersensitive and others as sensitive.

"About 30-32 percent of the polling booths have been classified as hypersensitive and another 30-35 percent have been classified as sensitive. Special arrangements are being made for these places," said Shrikumar, Director General of Police (DGP).

In all, 2140 electronic voting machines have been kept ready to be despatched to the 1965 polling stations.

In addition, 331 EVMS are kept ready for replacements, if necessary, in the polling booths.

In all, 15,000 government officials from the state and the Centre have been drawn for the election duty for the first phase of polling. (ANI)