BENGALURU: To counter Congress’ ongoing bus yatra and the Pancharatna Yatre of JD(S), BJP has decided to launch four ‘Ratha Yatras’ in the run up to assembly elections likely in April-May. A decision to this effect was taken at the BJP national executive meeting in Delhi.
BJP is expected to launch the yatras after the budget session which will be held in the third week of February. Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, on Monday, said details of the yatra will be worked out soon. Congress began its bus yatra on January 11 from Belagavi district and will tour 26 districts before win ding up by the end of the month.
BJP’s yatras are likely to start simultaneously from Kaylana Karnataka, Kittur Karnataka, central Karnataka and Old Mysuru regions and functionaries will highlight region-specific development work executed by the government.
Sources say the party also plans to highlight central government clearance for the revised detailed project report of Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project in Kittur Karnataka. With an eye on votes from people of Belagavi, Dharwad and Gadag districts, who stand to benefit from the project, the party is likely to conduct a groundbreaking ceremony to start work on the project.
Meanwhile, the party is also hoping the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on Karna taka’s request to publish the final award of the Krishna River Water Dispute Tribunal in the Union gazette, a prerequisite to implement the tribunal award. The SC heard the case last week.
Sources say the Ratha Yatras is the brainchild of the BJP central leadership, which is going all out to win the elections since Karnataka is the only state in the south where the party is in power. Also, it is the only big state in the south where Congress is equally strong.
“BJP cannot afford to lose Karnataka since it would mean the party will have no presence in the whole of south India,” said a senior BJP functionary. “This could have a cascading effect on Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Victory for us means Congress will be on the ropes since elections in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are also due later this year.”