CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy believes that the division in secular camp helped the BJP win in Karnataka. He also feels this victory would embolden the BJP-RSS to go for a more rigorous communal offensive in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. Reddy spoke to Shemin Joy of DH.

* The BJP has trounced the Congress in Karnataka. What is your take on this?

The caste equation as well as organisational strength has helped the BJP to emerge as winner. Once again, the division in the secular camp helped the BJP. The division in the Congress and the JD(S) naturally helped the saffron party. The Congress had to take the big initiative but unfortunately, they never learnt the lesson. They were overconfident and arrogant. They have not understood. They want all seats and other parties to support it.

* Will it have an impact on the 2019 Lok Sabha polls?

It will help the communal forces to go for a more rigorous offensive. But I don't think an Assembly election in one state is going to decide the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls.

* Has the election results weakened the Congress?

It has lost the biggest state where it was in power. Certainly, it will affect their strength.

* What you think should be the strategy for the Congress and other Opposition parties?

I cannot say what strategy should other parties take.

* Will this have an adverse impact on Opposition unity?

I don't think so.