Udupi, May 14: The Bharatiya Janata Party will form the government on its own in Karnataka, according to Rajya Sabha member Hema Malini.

Ms. Hema Malini told presspersons here on Tuesday that the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had done lot of good work as Finance Minister in the Karnataka Development Front (KDF) government. Though the BJP was the single largest party after the 2004 elections, it had to be part of a coalition Government, which ultimately collapsed.

"The good work done by Mr. Yeddyurappa will help us form a government on our own this time. We are getting good response in the State. I got a good response at Haliyal (in Uttara Kannada district), where I campaigned today. I could not campaign for the first phase of the elections. But I will be campaigning for the third phase of the polls," Ms. Hema Malini said.

BJP leader Ramachandra Gowda, who was present at the press conference, said the Congress was speaking in different voices.
'Make stand clear'

Congress leader B. Janardhana Poojary wanted the ban of arrack lifted, but other leaders wanted the ban to continue. Congress president Sonia Gandhi should make the party's stand clear on the issue.

Despite ruling the country for five decades, the Congress party had failed to eradicate poverty. "The Congress party does not have any principles or policies," Mr. Gowda said.

Ms. Hema Malini later addressed an election rally at Kaup.

'Dream Girl'

Chants of "Dream Girl" rent the air the actor walked on to the stage dressed in a scarlet sari here on Tuesday to campaign for BJP candidate Krishna J. Palemar.

A female party worker who welcomed Ms. Malini on stage was so bedazzled by the actress that she refused to let go of Ms. Malini's hand for a few moments. It was only after her face contorted in pain that the embarrassed party worker realised that she was squeezing her hand a little too hard.

Hindu