Date:25/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/25/stories/2008112552220600.htm

Karnataka

Opinion divided in BJP on referendum issue

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Different views have emerged in the Bharatiya Janata Party on whether the bypolls to the seven Assembly seats are a referendum on the Government’s performance.

While Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has said that the bypolls should not be thought of as a referendum on his Government, Home Minister V.S. Acharya holds the opposite view.

Both leaders expressed their views at separate platforms on Monday, a day after declaration of dates for the bypolls.

Party State president D.V. Sadananda Gowda had a month ago termed the bypolls a “referendum” on the Government’s performance.