Bengaluru: With nine districts, 56 Assembly segments and more than 2000 KM logged since an unimpressive launch on November 2, state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa and other leaders are elated over the groundswell of support witnessed during 'Parivarthana Yatra' as well as their strategy to gauge the anti-incumbency factor in remote areas of Karnataka.
On Wednesday, the Lingayat strongman-led rally moved into Vijayapura district, considered a stronghold of the BJP, with the former chief minister highlighting issues such as corruption and bankruptcy while lambasting the Congress government. The rally traversed Tumakuru, Hassan, Dakshin Kannada, Udupi, Uttar Kannada, Chikkodi, Belagavi, and Bagalkot before entering Vijayapura district.
Sources close to Mr Yeddyurappa told Deccan Chronicle the upsurge in Tumakuru and Hassan districts, both considered a stronghold of JD(S), was overwhelming.
General secretary of the state unit, Aravind Limbavali, said "during the rally, our leaders have focused on three core issues: progressive governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, failures of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and the vision of our party for next five years, if voted to power.". In addition, some local issues, the pro-Hindutva agenda and follies of the government headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah figured prominently during meetings addressed in Tumakuru and Hassan districts. In the coastal belt, however, the focus shifted to death of RSS and BJP workers along with the controversy surrounding Mr Siddaramaiah's visit to the pilgrim centre, Dharmasthala, post a fish meal. "We were able to convince people about the anti-Hindutva stand of the Chief Minister," he added.
Meanwhile, a senior leader said in Mumbai-Karnataka region, party leaders lashed out against the apathy of the state government towards sugarcane farmers and increasing number of suicides in the region but dealt with the border dispute with caution in order to retain its vote bank in Marathi speaking regions in border districts.
