BENGALURU : The BJP looks to script history to retain its southern citadel while a combative Congress eyes a comeback as Karnataka goes to polls on Wednesday at the end of a high octane campaign that was marked by a plummeting level of public discourse and grew increasingly shrill over the Bajrang Dal issue. As state leaders and candidates from different political parties thronged temples on Tuesday to seek blessings of god and good fortune on the eve of voting for the 224 Assembly constituencies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a video message to the people of Karnataka on Twitter seeking their blessings in the mission to make the state the number one in the country. The Congress petitioned the Election Commission seeking immediate action against the prime minister for his appeals to Karnataka voters “in violation” of the model code, and said it was “a litmus test” for the poll body’s capacity and willingness to enforce laws. In his message, Modi said the affection he has received in the state over the last few days has been unparalleled, and it has strengthened the resolve to make it number one across all sectors. “Dream of every citizen of Karnataka is...