Karnataka Election Result: As hung Assembly looms, clamour for pre-poll 'federal front' grows; who said what

While high political drama continues after the Karnataka Assembly election result, all eyes are on regional party heads. This verdict and subsequent reactions play a crucial role in determining the political discourse leading up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
It is almost firmly established now that without a formidable pre-poll third-front, it will be very difficult to stop the Narendra Modi-led NDA government to come into power for a second term. And in the light of the growing clamour for such a 'federal front', the coming together of all regional party heads is imperative.
While West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been at the forefront of taking charge to propel talks with various non-NDA state leaders, in the present scenario of a hung Assembly in Karnataka, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has played the role of 'kingmaker'.