BJP takes power in Karnataka

BANGALORE (Reuters) - The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took power in Karnataka on Monday for the first time, hoping it would boost the morale of its supporters ahead of a series of key state polls.
The swearing-in of the BJP's B.S. Yeddyurappa as chief minister ended weeks of uncertainty and a brief spell of federal rule triggered by wrangling for power by BJP's coalition ally.
Yeddyurappa and four ministers took the oath of office at an open-air ceremony in Bangalore, amid fireworks and cheering by tens of thousands of supporters and senior BJP leaders from around the country.
Karnataka is considered a prize catch for BJP as the party has a negligible presence in other southern states. The party hopes to use Karnataka as a gateway to the south and gain a larger national footprint.
Karnataka becomes the ninth of India's 29 states where the BJP or its allies have come to power.
The party is seeking a third term in its western stronghold of Gujarat in polls next month and 10 states are due to elect new assemblies next year amid continued speculation over the prospect of early national elections.
"The BJP's triumph in Karnataka will embolden it to expand its southern base," the Hindustan Times newspaper said in an editorial on Monday.
"This is bad news for the Congress, as a combination of the BJP and powerful regional parties make it that much harder for it to grow in the region," it said referring to the national ruling party.

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