“The rank opportunism of the Janata Dal(S) leadership and the unprincipled lust for power of the BJP have betrayed the aspirations of the people of Karnataka,” the CPM’s Politburo said in a statement.

The party favoured the holding of fresh elections in the state.

“The only sensible and democratic way out is for the state to have fresh elections,” it said.

Reacting to the development in the state, CPI said the door for the BJP to get a foothold in the southern states has been opened which was very “unfortunate”.