The State BJP on Tuesday alleged of a “conspiracy” by other parties in the State to defame and tarnish its image in the eyes of the people.

Addressing a press conference in Bangalore, State BJP President D V Sadananda Gowda said other parties (JD-S not ruled out), were trying to make BJP look power hungry and had turned the transfer of power issue into “tax-free entertainment” to the people in the state.

He said the party was just following coalition ethics and had taken a voluntary decision not get provoked by unwarranted statements that were being issued by various parties. “It is only our concern for collective responsibility and ensure that the developmental activities in the state are not the affected that we are silent”, he said.

Refuting charges made by State JD(S) President Merajuddin Patel that BJP was trying to hijack the achievements of the coalition government, Mr Gowda said that the people of the state were aware about the struggles of BJP in the past on various issues. “The outcome of elections will be a mirror to the people’s views”, he said.

He said the party had launched a struggle demanding ban on on-line lotteries, waiver of farm loans and ban on sale of arrack but had never claimed sole credit for the same. Mr Gowda said that there are several contentious issues had to be discussed in the coordination committee including the Chamalapur Thermal Power project, delay in release of flood relief foods by the Centre and other related issues.

However it was for the committee coordinator (JD(S) leader and Home Minister M P Prakash) to convene the meeting, he said. On election to the urban local bodies, Mr Gowda said the BJP would emerge as the “no-1” party bagging at least 50 per cent of seats. The party election manifesto will be released soon, he added.