In runup to state poll, Modi to visit Karnataka frequently

With the assembly polls in Karnataka due in less than nine months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday responded positively to a request from local BJP leaders that he visit the state as frequently as he could to lift the party's prospects in the elections, according to party sources.

The PM was in Mangaluru on Friday to participate in official programmes. After his public address, he attended the Karnataka BJP unit's core committee meeting before leaving for Delhi. Modi asked the leaders to start preparations for the elections without losing time.

The PM, who listened to the leaders in the 17-member core group in the meeting that lasted about 30 minutes, suggested that the state unit organise region-wise events at strategic cities so that the party could reach out to the electorate across the state. He also asked the state leaders to establish a close contact with voters, energy and Kannada & culture Minister Sunil Kumar Karkala told ET.


Modi is said to have asked chief minister Basavaraj Bommai to speed up development programmes and ensure that the benefits of the welfare programmes of the central and state governments reached the targeted groups.

Party sources said he was pleased with the turnout at the official programme in Mangaluru, the kind usually political rallies would attract. There were massive crowds of people, lined up for about 2 kms from the helipad to the function venue to get a glimpse of the PM and greet him as he passed. The convoy moved slowly as the PM waved at the people gathered on both sides of the road.

Former chief minister BS Yediyurappa had said that he would try to get one national leader every month to Karnataka in the run up to the elections to energise the party cadre. His comments came soon after his appointment to the parliamentary board and the BJP's Central Working Committee last month.