BJP failed to act as alternative to Mulayam regime: Joshi

Varanasi, May 13 (UNI) The BJP's failure in presenting itself as the ''right alternative'' to the non-performing Mulayam Singh Yadav regime resulted in the electorate voting BSP to power, former party president Murli Manohar Joshi said today.

''We failed to present ourselves as the right alternative to the SP-led government, which resulted in the Mayawati-led BSP attaining power in the state with a clear majority,'' Dr Joshi said addressing a news conference here.

The former union minister, however, refused the BJP's failure to act as responsible opposition, as the reason behind its defeat in the assembly polls.

''We acted fully as a responsible opposition, but failed to convey that image to the electorate,'' Dr Joshi maintained.

Denying to go much deeper into the causes behind the party's pathetic performance in the state he said, ''A report is being prepared by the state leadership about the lapses in poll management and strategy and anything conclusive can be said only after it is tabled before the central leadership.'' Dr Joshi, however, refused to buy the contention that the BJP was now a spent force in UP. ''Electoral successes and reverses are all part of the game and we should not be demoralised by that completely. The party will bounce back in Lok Sabha elections,'' he maintained.

He also scotched speculations that he is planning to contest next Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi instead of neighbouring Allahabad seat where he lost in 2004 to former UP minister Kunwar Reoti Raman Singh.

UNI