The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday stepped up its efforts to woo dissident Janata Dal-Secular leader M P Prakash and formally invited him to join the party with his supporters before the coming Karnataka assembly elections.

A team of BJP leaders in Karnataka held discussions with former JD-S leader M P Prakash and invited him to join the party, BJP sources said.

The parleys held in the private residence of former chief minister and senior BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa was attended by the party's state unit president D V Sadananda Gowda and former ministers Katta Subramanya Naidu and R Ashok.

M P Prakash keeps everyone guessing

Both the BJP and the Congress have been making hectic efforts to rope in Prakash, who hails from the dominant Lingayat community, to its fold along with his supporters. Union Minister of State for Labour Oscar Fernandes had extended a similar invitation to Prakash soon after the JD-S dissident leader quit the party protesting the 'autocratic' attitude of JD-S chief H D Deve Gowda.

Prakash is said to be weighing his options. The former state home minister said, "We are in no hurry. The BJP leaders have invited us to join the party. We will discuss that after the Sankranthi festival and take a decision".

Emerging from the meeting, Sadananda Gowda said, "Talks have been held. We have invited Prakash and his group to join the BJP. Prakash has assured us he will take a decision after consulting his supporters".

The exit of Prakash and his supporters, including 12 former MLAs, has dealt a severe blow to the JD-S headed by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda.