Loss in Karnataka is a wake up call for BJP: Rudy

BJP leader says party is confident that it will register a strong presence in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi elections

BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy today said losing elections in Karnataka was a "wake up call" for the party and claimed it will put up a strong performance in the coming Assembly elections in other states.

"We accept the party's loss in Karnataka Assembly elections due to our mistakes. It was a major wake up call for us. From here, we are confident to register a strong presence in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi elections and after that in country (general elections)," Rudy told reporters here at BJP's headquarters Ekatm Parisar.

BJP is the sole alternative to Congress for the people in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and no Third Front exists in the country now, the 51-year-old Rajya Sabha MP said.

"People of the country see BJP as a sole alternative to Congress in coming general elections. It is quite clear that after the Left's defeat in West Bengal and Kerala, there is no alternative...," he said.

Rudy slammed the Samajwadi Party for supporting a "minority" government at the Centre and said the party was acting under pressure fearing CBI action against its leaders.

"Congress-led UPA government is in minority, surviving on the support of 22 Samajwadi MPs. We don't understand why SP is supporting a minority government. Was there any deal or SP is under threat from CBI?" Rudy asked.

Launching an attack on the Centre for a series of alleged scams, including the 2G, Coalgate and CWG scams, he sought the resignation of the Prime Minister on moral grounds.

He also criticised the government for issues like Chinese incursion, death of Sarabjit Singh, GMR-Maldives row and Augusta Westland deal.

"The UPA government has broken the trust of people and cheated them by projecting corruption," the BJP leader added.

"The UPA government first indulges in corruption and then subverts CBI to suppress the truth. It stands exposed before the country. BJP demands that the Prime Minister should resign on moral grounds," he added.

Rudy also praised the performance of Chief Ministers of BJP-ruling states and expressed confidence that the party will win in coming Assembly elections under their leadership.