Karnataka: Three independents back BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which emerged as the single largest party in Karnataka, has managed to convince three independent MLAs to join it in the formation of the government.

The three independent candidates had turned up at B S Yeddyurappa's residence after the BJP's legislature party meeting. Talks went on for over an hour.

The BJP said that it would meet Governor Rameshwar Thakur at 8 pm on Monday and stake its claim to form the government.

Yeddyurappa would take the oath on May 28 as scheduled, the BJP also said.

The BJP which won 110 out of the 224 seats in the Karnataka assembly elections needs three more MLAs to form the government.