Poll-bound Karnataka is expected to be treacherous terrain and the Janata Dal (Secular) is keen to prepare for the road ahead. As part of the preparation, the party’s State president H.D. Kumaraswamy will soon get a custom-made, all-terrain vehicle to ensure he reaches every nook and corner in style. The vehicle is expected to cost approximately ₹1 crore.
The vehicle, according to sources, is being designed and build at Karur in Tamil Nadu, which is well-known for its bus body building industry in south India.
The responsibility of designing and delivering the vehicle to Mr. Kumaraswamy has been entrusted upon Syed Mohid Altaf, State Minority President of the party. Mr. Kumaraswamy is expected to launch the party’s election campaign after Deepavali.
“A 30-seater vehicle has been modified and fitted with the most modern amenities to provide all the needed comfort for the party's State president,” said a senior party leader. The vehicle is equipped with four loudspeakers to address gatherings on the route. It will have a a hydraulic lift, which will take Mr. Kumaraswamy to the top of the bus from where he will address the public.
The exterior of the vehicle is being painted with pictures of the achievements of the JD (S) government during the tenure of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and H.D. Kumaraswamy.
Besides this, Mr. Kumaraswamy’s friends have decided to hire two helicopters. While the party’s national president H.D. Deve Gowda will make use of one helicopter, in view of his advancing age, Mr. Kumaraswamy will take both the air and land routes.
Mr. Kumaraswamy told The Hindu , "It is necessary for me to tour all the 224 constituencies once before the Election Commission of India announces the calendar of events for the coming polls. This well-equipped vehicle will help in reaching people. Once the dates are announced, my father H.D. Deve Gowda and me will make use of helicopters for campaigning. This vehicle will also come handy during my Gram Vastavya, which I plan to commence from Deepavali."
There is also a plan to charter an eight-seater plane to enable other leaders to cover all the 224 constituencies, said sources.
