Modi or Shah may launch BJP yatra in Karnataka

In what is being seen as an election campaign in advance, the principal Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to launch a Statewide ‘Parivarthana’ (transformation) yatra, tentatively from November 1. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the party’s core committee, held in the presence of its national president Amit Shah in New Delhi, on Saturday. According to sources, the BJP State unit has requested that the campaign be inaugurated by either Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Mr. Shah. The plan is to take out the yatra in all the Assembly constituencies and target Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the alleged corruption in his government, BJP sources said. It will also focus on issues pertaining to farmers as well as the ‘murder’ of many Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh activists. The party is said to be keen for the proposed yatra to be taken out for 60 to 70 days, so that its conclusion will coincide with the beginning of the poll code of conduct in the State, a prominent leader said. While the details of the yatra are still being worked out, the BJP wants it to be a forum for launching a tirade against the Siddaramaiah government. All the important leaders of the State BJP unit will be part of the campaign while some prominent Central leaders too are likely to join in at various regions, sources said. Meanwhile, Mr. Shah is said to have reviewed the progress of some of the initiatives suggested by him with respect to party organisation, including evolving a plan to strengthen the party’s booth-level committees. He is scheduled to visit the State again in September.