Bengaluru: In a well-thought-out move to boost the prospects of former minister, B. N. Bacche Gowda, who lost to Congress leader, M. Veerappa Moily, by a slender margin of over 9500 votes in 2014, BJP president, Amit Shah, participated in a road show and drew impressive response from people, in Yelahanka on Wednesday.
Mr Shah did not address the gathering due to paucity of time but his road show was a runaway success as party workers chanted slogans — Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi, Modi Mattomme, Namo Again, Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar — all along 850 meters in Yelahanka. The road show concluded in 40 minutes with garlanding of the statue of Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, local BJP legislator S.R. Vishwanath said: “The SPG had given clearance for a 850 meter stretch for this road show. This stretch was particularly chosen because, we have our voter base — Weavers, fishermen (both OBC) brahmins and Jains are sizeable voters, besides Vokkliagas. The main intention is to send a clear message to Vokkaligas too, with Chikkaballapur being Vokkaliga dominated constituency. Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda was born here, that is why even the ward number one is named after him and it is denoted with number 1 too. That is the significance of this ward, therefore, we want to send message to our voter segment that they should not get swayed by anyone like last time and vote for BJP leader, Mr Bacche Gowda who lost by mere 9500 votes or less than 0.75 % votes in 2014.”
The road show, that began with party workers greeting Mr Shah with a huge garland of apples, and ahead of the
"rath", BJP supporters sporting saffron turban and holding cutouts, placards and party flags danced to the drum beats, as slogans of 'Modi Modi' rent the air.
Along with the anti-incumbency factors, Mr Moily is also facing dissidence within Congress to his disadvantage, with several local leaders opposed to his candidature according to party sources.
There are 15 candidates in the fray in Chikkaballapura. Chikkaballapura has eight assembly segments, where Congress has its hold on five, JD(S) two and BJP on one.
