Cong trying to negate BJP's advantage in K'taka

With no party being able to form a government in Karnataka it is almost certain that Parliament will approve the dissolution of the House, thus leaving the people of the state with no choice but to cast their vote.

According to sources, the central Congress leadership is favour in holding polls in Karnataka in April 2008. This would mean that Karnataka will remain under President's rule five months before elections are declared.

The Congress feels that holding the elections in April would suit the party as they will be able to organize themselves in Karnataka by then. The Congress also proposes to revamp its state unit by inducting fresh faces for the election campaign.

Although the Election Commission decides on the poll dates, the Congress is confident that elections will be held in the month of April itself. Sources in the Election Commission say they would like to hold polls in Karnataka after February some time since by then the school examinations will get over by then.

The Election Commission says they need the classrooms for the conduct of elections and this would not be possible when the examinations are on.

Bharatiya Janata Party sources said they would have preferred the elections to be held in the month of February itself as the electoral swing is in favour of the party at the moment. Holding elections in April will mean that the sympathy factor in favour of the BJP will die down. The Congress, however, is aware of this fact and hence would want to push elections till April.

Although Janata Dal-Secular supremo H D Deve Gowda says his party is ready to face the elections there are a section of legislators who prefer the formation of a government with the Congress. But the Congress says there is no question of an alliance with the JD-S, as they are sure that a stable government will not be formed in the state.