To avoid polls, BJP open to talks with JDS

8220;To avoid mid-term elections the BJP will make efforts to form a Government if the JDS gives unconditional support from outside,8221; Yediyurappa said.

He said the state unit of the party would be able to convince its national leaders if the JDS came forward unconditionally. Sources said the BJP was also looking to woo JDS MLAs wary of elections.

The BJP needs the support of 34 MLAs to be in a position to stake claim to power. The party had made last ditch efforts to revive ties with the JDS on October 8 just prior to JDS Chief Minister Kumaraswamy8217;s resignation and the Governor8217;s decision to impose President8217;s rule. In the 224-member Assembly, the magic number is 113 and the BJP has 79, the Congress 66 and the JDS 58.

8220;Though our party8217;s first preference is polls, we are not ready to impose it on the people. We are ready for talks with the JDS,8221; Yediyurappa said.

The outgoing Chief Minister Kumaraswamy on Wednesday, however, ruled out renewed ties with the BJP. 8220;There is no mutual trust between the parties. Our hearts have broken. There is no question of giving outside support to the BJP,8221; he said.

Incidentally, there has been serious heartburn within the JDS over the past couple of days over the sudden turn of events and ouster from power. 8220;Our leaders have ruined our party, many of us are disturbed,8221; a senior JDS leader said.

The JDS-BJP alliance fell through after the JDS refused to transfer power as scheduled on October 3 and the two parties launched attacks and counter-attacks against each other.

There are now fears in the JDS that both the Congress and BJP could attempt to woo JDS MLAs away from the party and the family of JDS national President H D Deve Gowda, who controls the party.

Deve Gowda has said the period of suspended animation must not see 8220;horse trading8221;. 8220;I hope and trust that the highest constitutional values shall be maintained and the spirit of democracy is kept alive. Elections must be held as early as possible,8221; he said.

State Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said his party will strategise on its next course of action over the next few days.