The BJP on Thursday said price rise and agrarian crisis would oust the Congress in the next month’s election in Karnataka. “Price rise and agrarian crisis will hit the Congress and anti-incumbency of the UPA Government will have an adverse impact on the party’s prospects in Karnataka,” party general secretary and in charge of Karnataka elections, Arun Jaitley, said in Bangalore.

The party said the Congress had scored a “self-goal” by keeping its options open for post-poll alliances, in the event of a fractured mandate. “The statement of Congress leader Kapil Sibal on not ruling out the possibility of a post-poll alliance shows that it has already scored a self goal,” he said.

Jaitley, who earlier crafted successful election campaigns in Gujarat and Punjab, said the people of Karnataka wanted a single-party Government and the BJP would be a direct beneficiary of the Congress’s stand. “The net basket of votes in our share is significantly higher. Compared to last elections, both the Congress and the JD(S) will see decline in the percentage of votes,” he said. On the party being stronger in rural areas, he said the work done by B S Yeddyurappa as finance minister would hold the party in good stead. “There is a greater desire for a decisive mandate among the people. Betrayal and sympathy factors will help the BJP,” he added.