The BJP will turn Karnataka into a “terrorism-free” state if voted to power, party president D V Sadananda Gowda said on Sunday.

Speaking at a convention organised to formally welcome Congress leader and AICC member E Ashwathanarayan and his supporters into the party fold, Mr Gowda blamed the Congress of going soft on terrorism to gain votes.
This, he alleged, had created a dangerous situation with fundamentalist and extremist elements having stepped up their anti-national activities.

The present administration had failed to implement the budget proposals made by B S Yeddyurappa as finance minister, he said. The Governor was functioning according to the wishes of the Congress which was against democratic norms, he charged.

Referring to the several JD(S) and Congress leaders joining the BJP, Mr Gowda said it was a sign of polarisation in the state. Mr Gowda said any amendments to the Sakrama scheme should be made only after discussions in the legislature. He said the scheme should be kept in abeyance until a popular government is elected in the state.