BSP to go alone for Karnataka Assembly polls

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Ambed Rajan on Wednesday said that the party would go alone in the upcoming Assembly elections in Karnataka.

New Delhi, Apr 9 : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Ambed Rajan on Wednesday said that the party would go alone in the upcoming Assembly elections in Karnataka.

"We will be contesting on all 224 seats. We have decided against any coalition as we cannot afford to lose our vote base to any other party," said Rajan.

He said Mayawati is scheduled to start campaigning in the State with one rally each for 10 seats. The campaign is scheduled in three phases, beginning from April last week.

According to sources, party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Veer Singh has been deputed by Mayawati to oversee her rally arrangements and ticket distribution.

"The distribution of tickets would be as per the proportional representation of different communities. All sections, backward, dalit, upper caste, minorities would be given due weightage," he said.

The BSP is aiming to be the kingmaker in the new Assembly when it is formed on May 28 and expects to pick up enough seats to make a difference, what with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and JD (S) facing anti-incumbency and the Congress not having a firm hold.

'This time the balance of power will be decided by us. The key would remain with us," he said.

ANI