Bangalore: The ruling BJP in Karnataka would seek "forgiveness" from the people for its lapses, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said on Saturday and asserted that the exit of former party strongman B S Yeddyurappa would not affect its electoral performance.

"Those who gave us a bad name have left the party," he said and predicted that "it will be a surprise result (in favour of BJP)."

The Chief Minister said his party was not personality based but ideology oriented and will ask for another term in the May five assembly polls on the basis of its performance.

"We will appeal to the people to forgive us for our lapses. We will seek another opportunity by assuring the people of providing a spotless government", said Shettar, who, the BJP says, would continue to be the chief minister in the event of the party returning to power.

He said no single person could claim to have contributed single handedly to the party's growth in Karnataka. "BJP was not born yesterday. Individuals come and go at the state and national levels."

Asked how the BJP would be able to shed the "corruption tag" as its rule was hit by several scandals, he said "those who gave us a bad name have left the party."

Shettar told reporters that the governments headed by him and his predecessor D V Sadananda Gowda had provided scam-free administration with no graft charge against both of them.

Shettar said BJP was hopeful of securing a clear cut majority of 120 to 135 seats in the 224-member Assembly. "The election will be a straight fight between BJP and Congress and it will be a surprise result (in favour of BJP)."

BJP Karnataka unit President Prahlad Joshi said the party had not spared anyone facing corruption charge and "we have sacrificed people."

He said senior party leader Arun Jaitley would come on frequent visits to Bangalore to guide the BJP's electioneering and fine tune its strategy.

PTI