Mangalore, May 14 : Congress president Sonia Gandhi has called for a stable government in poll bound Karnataka.

"It is the need of the hour today, that the new government which is formed in the state, completes a five year term in office," Sonia said.

Blaming the previous coalition regime in the state for poor development, she said, "Administration in the state is in a bad shape. Corruption has been rampant and all development activities have been stalled. Karnataka is going backwards instead of moving forward. Now, there is a need to change this government."

The state vote, in which the Congress is trying to beat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a Janata Dal (S), could influence the timing of a general election and give the winner crucial political momentum in the run-up to the national vote.

Of the 224 assembly segments in the state, 66 will go to polls in the second phase on May 16 and the remaining 69 in the third phase on May 22.

On May 11, an average of 66 per cent polling was registered in the first phase of elections in segments spread over 11 districts. (ANI)