The Bharatiya Janata Party is focussing intensively on Belgaum, Bangalore and Dakshina Kannada as it feels these areas, which together account for nearly 25 per cent of the total Assembly seats in the State, have the potential to change its fortunes in the Assembly elections.
The three districts account for 54 of the 224 Assembly constituencies in the State. While Bangalore city has 28 seats including Anekal, Belgaum has 18 seats and Dakshina Kannada district eight. The party has won a total of 33 seats from these three areas put together.
“These are the areas where we think we have the potential to increase our tally,” sources noted. Of course, the party is reportedly trying to maintain a tally of 12 to 18 seats in Bangalore city. “We are also focussing on some of the pockets in north Karnataka,” a BJP leader said.
The party’s intensive focus on these areas, especially the northern belt, is visible as its top Central leaders have been frequently campaigning in these areas. In fact, veteran leader L.K. Advani and national president Rajnath Singh have confined their campaign to northern parts.
Mr. Advani commenced his second round of campaigning in the State on Wednesday by addressing public conventions at Savadatti, Indi and Koppal. Similarly, BJP former national president Nitin Gadkari undertook a brief visit to Belgaum district on Wednesday.
