Former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has decided to hit the road next week to strengthen the soon-to-be-launched Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP).
The leader, who enrolled himself as a member of KJP soon after parting ways with the BJP on Friday, will set out on a state-wide tour on his return from a pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi temple. He plans to lead the new party to victory in at least 30-40 Assembly segments and emerge as the king-maker in formation of the new government in 2013.
Though Mr Yeddyurappa announced that the party would field candidates in all 224 Assembly constituencies, insiders said the leader would announce candidates for 150 seats and tacitly back Congress nominees where the new outfit lacks a support base.
The former chief minister would focus on constituencies in north Karnataka and Malnad areas as part of his strategy to rout the BJP and JD(S) and help Congress candidates emerge victorious, sources in KJP told this newspaper.
The sources said the party is contemplating to contest polls to urban local bodies early next year, and has sought a symbol from the Election Commission. If the party secures a symbol ahead of elections to urban local bodies, it would launch its campaign well ahead of the Assembly polls.
The leader would do his best to convince the electorate on how regional parties must be voted to power to protect the interests of the state.
In fact, he would target national parties, the Congress and the BJP, during his tour ahead of the polls, the sources added.
Addressing mediapersons after submitting his resignation letter to Speaker K.G. Bopaiah, Mr Yeddyurappa said it was the saddest day of his political career as he was severing his relationship with the BJP.
“With much pain and a heavy heart, I am leaving the BJP with which I was associated for four decades. It is true that I got everything from it (BJP), but it is also true that I sacrificed my personal life, comfort and happiness to build it in the state. My contribution to the party is unquestionable and unparalleled,” he said in an emotion-choked voice.