Karnataka, May 26 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unanimously elected B S Yeddyurappa as its leader in the Karnataka Assembly today.

Yeddyurappa will meet Governor Rameshwar Thakur at Raj Bhavan to stake a claim to form the government.

Meanwhile, negotiations are on to lure more independents into the party so that the BJP has the requisite number to prove its majority on the floor of the House. It is expected that five of the independents will join the government.

Yeddyurappa's residence, the venue of the party meeting, wore a festive look. Leaders and party workers have gathered from all corners of the state. Some even intend to stay back until the new BJP government is sworn in.

Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa, will leave for Delhi tonight to hold talks with the party's central leaders.

Sixty-six-year old Yeddyurappa is expected to take oath as the new Chief Minister on May 28.

Karnataka is presently under President's Rule. (ANI)