The entire Kunigal town was decorated with BJP flags and banners. Local BJP leader B Suresh Gowda left no stone unturned to ensure a grand welcome to Yeddyurappa, who is all set to become the first BJP chief minister in South India.

Suresh Gowda, who was president of Mysore Paper Mills before the collapse of JD(S)-led coalition government, has virtually turned Kunigal into a BJP stronghold. This constituency was once a bastion of Congress and later of JD (S).

It was not just BJP workers, the entire town had come out to see the BJP leader, who will be the chief minister of the State on Monday. Yeddyurappa on Sunday visited the Yediyuru temple. He travelled on road from Bangalore.

Supporters cheer

Mr Suresh Gowda, along with his supporters, welcomed Yeddyurappa with garlands. Thousands of BJP workers cheered their leader. The sound of crackers were deafening. The police had a tough time controlling the crowd, who wanted to shake hands with Yeddyurappa.

Huge cut outs of Yeddyurappa were erected along the National Highway 48.

The same enthusiasm was seen at Siddaganga Mutt too when the BJP leader visited it. Even the students at the Mutt raised slogans in favour of Yeddyurappa.

Tumkur MLA Sogadu Shivanna, BJP district president and Kallambella MLA K S Kiran Kumar and other leaders were present.