The Bharatiya Janata Party is planning an intensive campaign for the Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka, with about 40 major rallies across the State by roping in central leaders and Chief Ministers of BJP-governed States. These rallies are in addition to various smaller rallies and street-level meetings.
According to sources, the BJP State unit has sent a proposal on this to its central leadership, seeking clearance.
Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is proposed to address six to seven rallies, the State unit has sent requests for several national leaders, including party national president Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Water Resources Nitin Gadkari, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani for addressing these rallies.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis too are on the list of invitees.
A prominent BJP leader said Mr. Yogi was “most sought after” as there were requests for him to address rallies from various places of the State cutting across regions.
Similarly, Mr. Fadnavis would address rallies in the districts near Maharashtra border. The present plan of the BJP is to ensure that at least two major rallies are held in each of the 28 Lok Sabha constituencies in the State, sources said.
Party strategists feel that Mr. Modi, who addressed a poll rally in Karnataka on March 6, may return to the State to address the next rally after about two weeks.
The BJP strategists are keen that the party crosses 20-seat mark in Karnataka. However, they admit that the task is a quite challenging as they expect the governing Janata Dal (Secular)–Congress combine to pose a tough resistance. It is in this context that the party is trying to get different central leaders for appropriate places and regions.
