Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (DC)

Bengaluru, Mar 31: "The whole country is watching the Karnataka elections. We must make India BJP-free. I have come to Karnataka for this," said Rebel JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav here in Bengaluru on March 30.

Addressing a press meet Sharad Yadav said that the much-awaited Assembly elections are like a semi-final to the next Lok Sabha polls. Though the party's goal is to defeat the BJP at any cost, it is yet to be decided by the JD (U) as to whether to support Congress or JD(S) in the crucial polls, he said.

Yadav added that in his two-day visit, a decision will be taken after meeting party workers.

Along with the Congress and the BJP, the leaders of JD(S) are trying to come back to power. At the national level, several opposition parties have come together to defeat the ruling BJP unitedly.

The much-awaited Karnataka Assembly election dates were announced by Chief Election Commissioner of India Om Prakash Rawat on Tuesday March 27 in New Delhi. The polling for the single-phase election will be held on May 12 and the counting will be on May 15.