With campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly elections picking up steam, political parties are bringing top leaders to woo voters. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the campaign on April 25. By the time Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath landed in Mandya on April 26 to put his might behind the BJP campaign, she had already launched a charm offensive, outside the main arena.
On April 26, Ms Priyanka visited a restaurant in Mysuru for breakfast where she not only interacted with other patrons, but also tried her hand at making dosas.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had breakfast at Mylari restaurant in Mysuru, along with her party colleagues, on April 26, 2023. She tried her hand at making a dosa before relishing one. The restaurant is renowned for its unique and delicious dosa. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra interacts with some children at Mylari restaurant in Mysuru on April 26, 2023. At right is Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Before leaving the restaurant, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posed for photos with children. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The charm offensive was not restricted to Ms Priyanka.
When former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah ran into Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in Belagavi airport, he greeted his BJP rival with respect and then, in a friendly gesture, went on to pat his back.
Mr Bommai appears taken aback, and tries to reciprocate the show of camaraderie.
Later in the day, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the Sringeri Sharda Peeth in Chikkamagaluru district.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the Sringeri Sharda Peeth in Chikkamagaluru district on April 26, 2023.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra offers an apple to an elephants during her visit to Sringeri Sharda Peeth in Chikkamagaluru district on April 26, 2023.
Government staff across Karnataka are running campaigns to create awareness about voting for the Assembly elections on May 10, 2023.
Chikkamagaluru district administration staff draw a rangoli to create voting awareness for the Karnataka Assembly elections, in Chikkamagaluru, on April 27, 2023.
One such campaign launched by the Uttara Kannada district administration might be in the reckoning for one of the most unique initiatives in India.
Also Read — Is this India’s most unique voter awareness campaign?
Officials tied up with a scuba diving company to create an underwater campaign near Netrani island, off Murudeshwar beach. Tourists who opt for scuba diving can display placards that urge people to vote on May 10, 2023.
Political parties are also doing all they can to encourage young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise.
Members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) organised a voters’ awareness rally for the Karnataka Assembly elections, in Hubballi, on April 27, 2023.
Udupi district Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) committee organised a voter awareness programme at Parampalli village on April 27, 2023.
The voter awareness programme involved kayaking in the backwaters of Seetha river, at Parampalli village in Udupi district of Karnataka, on April 27, 2023. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The view from the top of the voter awareness programme at Parampalli village in Udupi district of Karnataka, on April 27, 2023. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Deve Gowda is no longer able to campaign like he used to, but keeps himself updated on the Karnataka Assembly elections, from his home in Bengaluru.
Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Deve Gowda catches up on the latest news in his home in Bengaluru on April 28, 2023. | Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K
