BJP demands timely provincial polls in Karnataka

Leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with their party workers and legislators from Karnataka Assembly staged a demonstration here today demanding timely conduct of polls in the state.

New Delhi, Mar 12 : Leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with their party workers and legislators from Karnataka Assembly staged a demonstration here today demanding timely conduct of polls in the state.

Addressing the protestors, senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani demanded that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) coalition government conduct provincial polls in the state before May 28.

"Central government should not delay this issue even for a second. The government should address and implement the demands of my friends who have come from the Karnataka assembly," he added.

President's rule was imposed in Karnataka in November 2007 in the wake of the BJP Government's resignation after the regional coalition ally refused support in a confidence vote.

Janata Dal (S), the junior partner in the coalition government, set conditions for its support - including demands for some key ministerial portfolios, which were rejected by the BJP.

With elections seen as the most likely way out of the political turmoil in the state, the BJP expects that the Janata Dal (S) decision to renege on its word would generate sympathy votes for the BJP, some analysts said.

The BJP was expected to take over the reins of power in Karnataka in October 2007 under an agreement with the Janata Dal (S) to rule the State for 20 months each.

But the Janata Dal (S) reneged on the pact and BJP forced to resign, forcing New Delhi to impose Central rule.

ANI