Watch this seat Hubli-Dharwad: Prahlad Joshi sweats it out

Hubli: Aware that he is not likely to have it easy these elections in Dharwad with multiple contenders vying for the Lok Sabha seat, BJP state president, Prahlad Joshi has begun touring the constituency in earnest. Accompanied by hordes of enthusiastic party workers he is using the Modi factor to woo the people.

Beginning his day at 5.30 am with a yoga session, he takes morning walkers and joggers by surprise at the Indira Glass House garden by turning up at 6 am and shaking hands with each one of them. Appealing for their votes, he leaves them holding pamphlets highlighting the work he has done for the constituency over the years. "I am shocked to see our Member of Parliament jogging with us. But we see this only when elections approach," said a businessman K Rajanna with a touch of cynicism.

Later, on a padayatra in Hubli-Dharwad Central Assembly constituency Mr Joshi is accompanied by former Chief Minister, Jagadish Shettar, who represents it. Performing pooja to a mammoth statue of Lord Shiva in Shivapur colony, he tours several wards, wooing the Lingayats in the constituency which gave the BJP the highest victory margin in the last assembly poll.

Taking time out for a closed door meeting at a private hotel in the afternoon, he draws up the party strategy against rival candidates of not only the JDS and Congress, but also the Sri Ram Sene and Aam Admi Party. His next stopover is the Jathra Mahotsav in Kalghatagi town and later Shiggaon town where he holds a long discussion with party leaders like Basavaraj Bommai on campaign strategies. At the end of it all he seems upbeat.

"I am sure I will win the Dharwad Lok Sabha seat for the third consecutive term as I have done a lot of developmental work here over the last decade. Also the BJP has regained its strength in Dharwad after KJP's merger with it and Sreeramulu's return to the party," he asserts.