BJP prefers elections in Karnataka : Rajnath

New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) The BJP today said it would prefer facing an election rather than cobble together a coalition with its estranged coalition partner, the Janata Dal (Secular), in Karnataka.

BJP President Rajnath Singh talking to newspersons said the party had received no message or proposal from the J D (S) to revive the coalition."We are very clear about the party's preferences. We want to face elections and face the polls alone", he said ruling out any possible electoral alliance with the J D (S).

Mr Singh's comments assume significance after the understanding between the BJP and the J D (S) broke down early this month after the latter refused to transfer chief ministership to BJP Legislature Party leader B S Yediyurappa.

In a related development, AICC General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka B K Hariprasad distanced the party from the views in favour of Congress-J D (S) alliance articulated by Union Minister of State for Planning M V Rajasekharan. "He is a senior party leader and whatever he has said on the issue is purely his personal opinion", Mr Prasad said pointing to a statement issued by KPCC.

UNI