'BJP can occupy the space ceded by Congress in the south'

: BJP's victory in the recent bypolls in Karnataka is a boost for the party in the southern states and it can occupy the space being ceded by Congress, BJP General Secretary Muralidhar Rao said here on Wednesday.

After its rout in Karnataka, there would be no scope for revival of the Congress in the south, claimed Rao, BJP's in charge in Karnataka.

"BJP is occupying the Congress' space in Karnataka. That means tomorrow, wherever there is space for the national party to grow in south India, BJP can occupy that. That is the potential," he said at a media interaction here.

He claimed that politics in the southern states was set to undergo a change in the coming years.

Because of the available space, superstar Rajnikant has also shown an interest in making a political foray, he said.

Rao said BJP was making efforts to turn the 'changing political scenario' in the southern states to its advantage.

"Karnataka win is a (morale) booster for a party which is making serious efforts (for expansion). It is not just a victory. It is a victory which gives a stable government," he said.

Rao also said there was a pattern in BJP's steady growth.

BJP, in its journey, was variously called a "Delhi party", "urban party", "north Indian party", "Brahmin-Bania party" but has now emerged as the world's largest party, he said.

Rao said there was potentital for BJP to grow in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as the Congress was not gaining in popularity in these two states.