Split in KJP-BJP votes helped Congress bag 121 seats: Yeddyurappa

Bangalore, May 9 (PTI): Former Chief Minister and Karnataka Janata Paksha president B S Yeddyurappa today said it was the split votes of his party and BJP that helped Congress bag 121 seats in the May 5 assembly polls.

Addressing a press conference here, he said "it is not positive votes in favour of Congress. As many as 23 seats which Congress has won was because of the split votes".

Yeddyurappa said that within six months of its launching, the party has become eligible for recognition by the Election Commission by winning 10 per cent of the votes polled.

"BJP might have won 40 seats but the percentage of vote is only 20 per cent and compared to this it is really a good achievement of KJP," he said, adding he was happy with the result. "I got people's support beyond my expectations".

Claiming that he was responsible for BJP coming to power in the 2008 polls, Yeddyurappa said "just as I helped BJP get 110 seats in 2008 election, I will work to build KJP. It is a challenge but I will accept it and will build the party by touring the state and win people's confidence."

"Now, I will concentrate on strengthening the party and prepare for the next election to the Lok Sabha," he said. To a question on the debacle of BJP, Yeddyurappa said "I will not comment on this. It is for them (party) to introspect".