New Delhi: Hoping to wrest power on its own for the first time in Karnataka, the BJP's state unit wants to go it alone in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

The party's state leaders are not in favour of any electoral alliances or understandings this time around and it is pitching for contesting in all the 224 states. Last time, the BJP had an alliance with JD(U) and an understanding with AIADMK. While JD(U) won five seats, AIADMK bagged two.

However, the central leadership has not yet firmed up its view on the matter and is weighing all the options as it cannot antagonise JD(U), its ruling partner in Bihar and a key NDA constituent. Though the local unit is not in favour of any alliance, state leaders said it will abide by any decision taken by the central leadership.

The issue is likely to figure in consultations with senior leader Arun Jaitley, who has been given charge of election affairs in Karnataka, during his visit to the state later this week. Having announced B S Yeddyurappa as its Chief Ministerial candidate, the BJP is planning to take on the Congress on the issue of leadership.

It is also pinning hopes on the populist budgets presented by Yeddyurappa when he was the Finance Minister and is all set to play the "martyr" card and paint former ally JD(S) as a betrayer. Meanwhile, BJP General Secretary and senior leader from Karnataka Anant Kumar said the party was aiming to get 32 per cent of the vote share this time around.

Source : PTI