Karnataka's poll campaigning ends; Here's how BJP, Congress wooed voters
3 min read 09 May 2023, 06:06 AM ISTPrime Minister Narendra Modi held 19 public meetings and six roadshows in Karnataka whereas Congress leader Rahul Gandhi campaigned for 12 days
PremiumThe high-voltage campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly election 2023 ended on Monday. Now, the main test of the political parties is on 10 May (Wednesday). Voting in the southern state will be held tomorrow and the counting of votes will be on 13 May (Saturday).
BJP pulled its own weight to retain power in Karnataka while for Congress these polls are crucial to cement its position as the leading opposition party in the country ahead of the 2024 General election.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held 19 public meetings and six roadshows in Karnataka whereas Congress leader Rahul Gandhi campaigned for 12 days.
All three leading political parties -- the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and the Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) have put all their efforts to woo the voters, making promises, and launching accusations at each other to secure a majority in the state's 224-seat Assembly. The majority mark to form the government is 113 seats.
The saffron party has exuded confidence in retaining power with a full majority. However, an ant-incumbency factor is also brewing in the southern state.
Karnataka is the only state in the South where BJP is in power.
The Lingayat and Vokkaliga voters will play a major factor in the elections. Lingayats comprise 17% of the population and Vokkaligas 11%.
BJP put all its might to strengthen its support base.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed 19 public meetings and held six roadshows. Amit Shah held 16 public rallies and 14 roadshows. BJP chief JP Nadda held 10 public meetings and 16 roadshows.
Besides, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held four election rallies and held a roadshow.
BJP also pitted several chief ministers including UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and his Maharashtra counterpart Eknath Shinde in the campaign fray of Karnataka.
The Congress on the other hand worked hard to wrest power from the BJP that is striving to break the 38-year-old pattern of alternating governments and retain its power in the state.
Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, held various roadshows, rallies, and election campaigns.
Rahul Gandhi avoided massive roadshows for the Karnataka poll campaign. Instead, the minister held an interaction with gig workers and delivery partners of app-based delivery services. He also interacted with women passengers on the BMTC bus.
Meanwhile, Karnataka will observe dry days till tomorrow due to the election. The dry day began on Monday at 5 pm. Liquor shops and restaurants serving alcohol will remain shut till midnight on 10 May, the voting day. And then again on 13 May, the counting day.
