Cong should utilise split in BJP in K'taka poll: Chidambaram

Bangalore, Nov 21: The split in the ruling

in

would benefit the Congress in the state assembly polls scheduled next year and give it an opportunity to wrest back power in the state, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram said on Tuesday.

Chidambaram told the party's state leaders and workers that with former Chief Minister and Lingayat strongman BS Yeddyurappa certain to break away from the BJP and form his own regional outfit, the Congress was set to enjoy an advantage in the next assembly polls.

The Congress, which is in the Opposition in Karnataka now, has been out of power in the southern state since 2004. The BJP, on the other hand, formed its first government in southern India after winning the 2008 assembly polls.

Chidambaram also said that the Congress should move a no-confidence motion in the upcoming winter session of the state assembly due to start on Dec 5. He said the BJP government in Karnataka had no moral authority to remain in office, adding that the ruling party continued to remain in power owing to its 'operation lotus' which helped it engineer defection from other parties.

The BJP had won only 108 seats in the 225-member assembly in the 2008 elections but still managed to remain in power for four years by luring away a dozen of legislators to its party through by-elections.

Chidambaram, while boosting the party workers, said the part should utilise the golden opportunity created by the weakening of the BJP and win from all natural constituencies. He said the Congress did not belong to any one caste but all.

The Union Minister said the Congress has accommodated communities like backward classes, scheduled castes and tribes and minorities and should focus on representation of women candidates in the next assembly polls.

Chidambaram was in Bangalore for a day to chair a meeting of the four southern states and Puducherry and chief executives of state banks and financial institutions.

OneIndia News