Stable Govt. the main poll plank for BJP in K'taka: Yeddyurappa

Davangere, Oct 14 (UNI) Providing a stable government in Karnataka will be the main poll plank for the BJP in the byelections due for eight Legislative Assembly seats in the State, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said today.

Speaking to reporters at the helipad, after arriving to attend a function, he expressed confidence of his party winning all the eight seats.

"The byelections, however, will not be a referendum on the BJP government's rule in the state. We are already in majority with the support of five independents," he stated.

The Election Commission, while announcing the dates for Assembly elections in five states, however said that the decision on holding byelection in Karnataka would be taken at a suitable time.

Byelections are due in Karwar, Turuvekere, Hukkeri, Arabhavi, Doddaballapur, Deodurg, Madhugiri and Maddur. While the legislators belonging to opposition Janata Dal(S) and Congress, in the first seven segments resigned to their seats to join the BJP, the sitting legislator had died of illness causing byelection in Maddur.

The resignations came in the wake of 'Operation Lotus' launched by the BJP to lure the opposition legislators after it fell short of three seats for a simple majority in the May elections. The saffron party had won 110 seats in the 224-member house.

"People are in favour of the BJP to provide a stable government and they want us to serve the full five year term. The poll alliance now being contemplated by arch foes like the Congress and the Janata Dal(S) in anti democratic," he added.

UNI XR RS TS1810