Task of leading Cong. Karnataka campaign falls on Rahul

With Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC chief G Parameshwara hard-pressed to ensure their own victory, heading the party's poll campaign is likely to fall on the shoulders of AICC president Rahul Gandhi, who is expected to return to the state later this month.

Siddaramaiah, who has been projected as the 'captain' of the Congress for the May 12 polls, is likely to concentrate more on his candidature from either Chamundeshwari, Badami or both seats, while also supporting his son Dr Yathindra who may contest from Varuna.

Similarly, Parameshwara is likely to spend more time in Koratagere, where he is hell-bent on winning, after having lost in the previous election.

Rahul is likely to hold a series of roadshows in key districts after April 20. The custom-designed bus which was used for his Janaashirvada Yatra will be pressed into service again. "Rahul's campaign this time will comprise more number of roadshows and a few corner meetings as we have seen that his roadshows have been highly successful. The roadshows will be confined to district headquarters," a source said.

Top leaders are expected to join Rahul on his poll campaign, just like they did during the Janaashirvada Yatra, to demonstrate unity among the party leaders, especially after Siddaramaiah and Parameshwara took out separate campaigns late last year.

At the constituency-level, candidates will carry out campaigns in accordance with the strategy prepared by the party's campaign committee headed by Energy Minister D K Shivakumar. A candidate has to make a 15-minute-long video of his/her personal story, live Facebook video feed of campaign rallies, besides running SMS, WhatsApp and IVR call campaigns. In every district, three LED screen-fitted vans will be provided for candidates.

At the booth-level, party workers have to list 10 positive points about the candidate, and negatives of the opposition candidate, take the ownership of a specific page of the voters' list, besides creating WhatsApp and social media communication channels.