Bengaluru: After the process of verification of nomination papers is over, the election campaign is going on in full swing in the state. All the parties including BJP, Congress, and JD (S) have started the exercise of attracting votes through rally, road show and open meetings. All of them have prepared for a loud campaign till May 8.
BJP and Congress candidates from their respective constituencies are preparing to bring national level leaders who have the charisma to win votes along with influential state level leaders in the campaign fray. The JD (S) is all set to bring several family members of the top brass into the campaign arena simultaneously from April 24.
The state level leaders, who are themselves in the fray, have already completed the first round of campaigning in their constituencies. Leaders who are responsible for bringing the rest to the shore of victory, have prepared a programme to visit many areas every day. Some have already started campaigning in different parts of the state.
From April 24, the leaders of various parties will enter the stage of election campaign.
The political leaders of major parties are prepared for hundreds of campaign meetings across the state. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann are likely to campaign on behalf of the Aam Aadmi Party. The state CPI has supported Congress in 215 constituencies. Along with the big meetings, campaigning is brisk at the polling booth level in rural areas.
Candidates are gearing up to bring film actors and actresses to polls.
BJP has devised a strategy to win the election through Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally, road show and open meetings. In addition to that, Modi would campaign in 28 places across the state, the road shows, rally and open meetings are scheduled. Prime Minister will campaign in Kolar District on April 30.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi started election campaign in the state on April 23 through Basava Jayanti programme. On the first day, he tried to attract votes for the party in Vijayapura District, and participated in an open meeting in Hanagal and an interaction with the youth in Gadag on April 23.
Rahul will interact with fishermen at Kapu Uchila in Udupi District April 27. On the same day, he will hold a road show in Mangaluru and Udupi cities to solicit votes. Sources in the Congress said that they are planning to stay in Karnataka for ten days and take part in the election campaign.
All India Congress Committee General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi will also participate in the campaign along with Rahul. Both have planned to tour three areas each day. Congress Leader Sonia Gandhi will also participate in the campaign and address public meetings in Bengaluru and North Karnataka, sources said.
AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge is preparing for a long tour of the state. Siddaramaiah, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President D. K. Shivakumar will campaign continuously for 15 days.
JD (S) Legislature party leader H. D. Kumaraswamy, who is posing as the Chief Ministerial candidate of JD (S), is preparing to tour throughout the state. He is in the hospital due to illness and will start the tour tha day after he would be cured.