BENGALURU: Prime Minister Modi held unprecedented roadshows and rallies in poll-bound Karnataka to boost the chances of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its candidates. It cannot be ignored that Modi drew massive crowds, even if many people were generally there for the spectacle. But, whether it change the fortunes of the BJP in the 26 Assembly constituencies remains to be seen on May 13 when the counting of votes takes place.
There is much speculation over Modi’s three-day and 41-hour grand campaigns covering 26 constituencies in Bengaluru whether it will prove ‘lucky’ for the BJP or a game changer for the Karnataka polls. After the success of Modi’s roadshows, and the people’s huge response, the BJP’s calculation also changed.
Modi campaigned in major constituencies to grab the attention of voters. On May 2, he held public meetings in Chitradurga, Vijayanagara, Sindanur and Kalaburgi. On May 3, he held campaigns in Moodabidri, Karwar and Kittur. On May 6, he participated in rallies in Chittapur, Najanagud, Tumkur Rural and Bengaluru South. On May 7, he held rallies in Bengaluru, covered 40.8 km during roadshows on three days.
The thinking in the BJP is that the entire scenario has changed after Modi’s rigorous campaign. It expects to get more seats than in the last election in Bengaluru this time. The BJP is also looking for a victory in 18 of the 28 constituencies in Bengaluru.
The thinking in the BJP is that they have succeeded in holding on to traditional votes mainly in the city and hopes fresh voters and the youth will also vote for it. Modi’s presence charged the activists and party leaders to do more work and the BJP is confident of winning the upcoming election due to the Modi wave.