BJP confident of registering effective presence in Ker: Sushma

Kochi, Jan 31 (PTI) BJP, which is yet to make a markin the Kerala Assembly, today said it would contest all 140seats in the upcoming polls and was hopeful of registering an"effective presence" in the House.

"We will hopefully register our effective presence inthe Kerala assembly," senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj toldreporters here after a meeting of the party''s core group inKerala.

"In Kerala, we will contest as BJP and on BJP''ssymbol," she said.

However, she refused to comment on the number of seatsthe party expected to win. "I am not an astrologer," she said,adding even pollsters have been proven wrong.

Pointing out that there was a great anti-incumbencyfactor against the ruling Left Front government and Congress,Swaraj said "the two fronts are two sides of the same coin."

Asked if BJP would demand re-opening of the ''Ice CreamParlour'' sex case in view of new revelations and allegationscropping up against former IUML minister P K Kunhalikutty, shesaid the courts and not parties, have to decide on it.

The BJP leader said Congress "is in the dock" on allfronts, be it price rise, corruption or selection of ChiefVigilance Commissioner. "The party (Congress) has no answers."

The BJP, she said is being seen by people as an activeand effective Opposition. "We are performing this role aswatchdog, but in Kerala this role is missing."

The party has set in motion the process of selectionof candidates in all 140 constituencies. Former statepresidents have been given the task of shortlisting candidatesin different districts, Swaraj said.

She said an election management committee would beconstituted to oversee the management.

Swaraj, who will be overseeing party matters inKerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in view of the Assemblypolls due this year, said she would meet BJP leaders of TamilNadu on February 4.