BENGALURU: With days left to Karnataka Assembly elections, Shiv Sena on Sunday announced that the party will contest 50 to 55 seats in the poll-bound state. The announcement was made by party spokesperson Sanjay Raut.

In order to support Maharashtra Akikaran Samiti - a regional party based in Belagavi, Shiv Sena will not put up candidates in the border area. Maharashtra Akikaran Samiti has campaigned for the merger of Belgaum to neighbouring state Maharashtra. The party claims to represent the Marathi-speaking people in the region.

Karnataka polls are scheduled to be held in a single phase on May 12 and the counting of votes will be done on May 15. VVPAT machines, apart from EVMs, will be deployed in Karnataka for the polls.

The date of notification is April 17 and the last date to file nominations is April 24. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 25 and the last day for withdrawal is April 27.

The 224-member Assembly expires on May 28 in the state where the Congress is currently in power, with 122 seats against the BJP's 43. Karnataka is one of the eight states where polls were scheduled this year.

While Siddaramaiah-led Congress is eyeing a second term in the state, BJP wants to spread its wings to the 22nd state

The Election Commission last week had announced the full schedule of assembly elections to elect a new government in Karnataka.

As per the announcement by the poll panel, the assembly elections in Karnataka will be held on May 12 and results will be declared on May 15. The EC announcement has set the stage for one of the most prestigious battles between the ruling Congress and the BJP.