BJP to raise price rise issue as main poll plank

Bangalore, Apr 15 (UNI) The BJP will raise the failure of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre to contain the steep price rise of essential commodities as the main issue in the three-phased Assembly elections in Karnataka next month, party senior leader Sushma Swaraj said today.

Talking to reporters here, she said the BJP would list out the failures of the UPA government during the last four years before the people of the state and compared its performance with other coalition governments in the past in providing a good governance in the country.

''Terrorism is another major failure of the UPA goverment, which has now spread to south India, particularly Bangalore due to its soft stand on the issue,'' she said.

On widespread protests continuing over the distribution of party tickets, she said it was common when there is a big demand for tickets in view of party's brightened chances of winning the elections in Karnataka.

''I have come here to addresss a first election rally in Mysore today after the formal declaration of the polls and my impression is that the mood among the party workers is upbeat,'' she said adding the party was confident that it would come in full majority.

Former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said the manifesto of the party would be announced in the next few days.

He criticised the Congress for its failure to protect the interests of the state on the Hogenakkal project issue and according classical status to Kannada.

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