BJP not to continue Operation Lotus: Yeddyurappa

Describing the victory of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in five of the eight assembly constituencies in the Dec 27 bypoll as a "positive vote for stability and development", Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday declared an end to its "operation lotus" under which it lured leaders of other parties into its fold.

"We have gained a clear majority and no more Operation Lotus hereafter," Yeddyurappa, whose government suvived on the support of six independents so far, told the media in Bengaluru reacting to the results declared on Tuesday.

Under the operation, BJP had engineered defection of seven MLAs, three from the Congress and four from the Janata Dal-Secular.

"I congratulate the esteemed voters of Karnataka electing five BJP candidates in the bye-elections held in eight constituencies, thus giving a clear majority to our party in the state assembly", Yeddyurappa said.

The strength of BJP on its own rose to 115 in the 224-member assembly and its combined strength to 121 for it enjoyed the support of six independents.

In an emphatic assurance to five independents who have been inducted into the ministry for helping BJP to form the government seven months ago when the saffron party faced deficit of three seats after winning 110 seats, Yeddyurappa said they will not be disturbed as they backed the government during the "most critical time".