JOIN USAs Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency gears up for the byelection scheduled for March 18, the competition among political parties is intensifying by the day with varied campaigning strategies emerging to lure the voters.
Fourteen candidates are in fray including Jayaprakash Hegde from the Congress, Sunil Kumar from BJP and Bhoje Gowda from JD(S).
Almost all the bigwigs of the BJP, the Congress and the JD(S) are camping in the constituency.
Congress is following a unique line of attack by going on road shows and organising public meetings, and keeping the media busy with their numerous press conferences. The leaders are practically trying to use the media as their mouthpiece to reach the voters.
Although Congress leaders G Parameshwara, Siddaramaiah, M Veerappa Moily and Oscar Fernandes are taking out door-to-door campaigns, this style of campaigning seems to be the focus of the BJP.
The party is intricately covering as much ground as possible, even as the Congress is planning a big show with its VIPs and star campaigner, actor Ramya.
Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda has finished one round of campaigning and is expected to go on a second round shortly. BJP candidate Sunil Kumar’s wife Priyanka is also on door-to-door campaign.
Kumaraswamy in Karkala
Not to be left too far behind, the JD(S), which is not as active in the region, is also trying its best.
Party’s State president H D Kumaraswamy joined the second round of campaigning on Monday and campaigned extensively in Karkala.
JD(U) candidate K Bharath rode a camel on the busy streets of Udupi and displayed familiarity with the voters while campaigning.