Striking a populist chord ahead of the Karnataka Assembly polls, the BJP has promised farmers free power supply for irrigation pump sets and farm credit from nationalised banks with four per cent interest, if voted to power.

After a meeting with senior party leaders, BJP state unit leader and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa said the assurances would be honoured within 24 hours of assuming office if the party came to power.

Yeddyurappa, whose government collapsed last November after abrupt withdrawal of support by the JD(S), leading to imposition of  President's rule, said the BJP, if elected to power, would reimburse the remaining part of the interest on loans borrowed by farmers from nationalised banks to ensure them credit at four per cent interest.

Yeddyurappa said all those who own irrigation pump sets up to 10 horse power capacity would get free power supply.

The BJP will stage protests in all 244 assembly constituencies on January 21 against 'tardy implementation' of development works outlined in the budget.