In gateway to South, BJP sees highway to Delhi

Sushma, a key campaigner in the state, recalled her fight against Congress president Sonia Gandhi that sowed the party seeds in the mine-rich district of Bellary. “The voters there tell me that I brought along the blessings of Goddess Laxmi. But it has also yielded rich political dividends,” she said. Bellary has returned BJP candidates in nine out of 10 Assembly seats falling in the parliamentary constituency.

The party hopes the election results will act as a morale booster to other BJP-ruled states going to elections shortly. “The Congress had hinged all its hopes, including advancing the Lok Sabha election dates, and nuclear deal talks, to the elections in the state. It can only look for a face-saver now,” said a party leader. It was the state CM-designate who had the last word, though. “My work has only begun. We’ll now work for making Advani the next PM,” B S Yedyurappa said.