Eyes on 2018 polls Karnataka BJP organises OBC Rally

BJP claims that the rally was aimed at exposing Congress' double standards on backward class upliftment and highlight failed promises by the Chief Minister

Updated: Sunday, November 27, 2016, 15:25 [IST]

With its eyes set on the 2018 assembly polls, Karnataka BJP has started expanding and boosting its vote bank. Amit Shah's participation in the state BJP organised OBC rally was a part of its mission 2018 plan.

BJP's National President Amit Shah inaugurated the 'Ekata rally' by beating drums in Bengaluru on Monday. The rally saw prominent faces from backward classes including leaders like K S Eshwarappa and Sriramulu in attendance apart from Union Ministers Sadananda Gowda, Anath Kumar and Nirmala Seetharaman. The event was preceded by a bike rally by BJP workers near Palace Grounds.

While BJP claimed that the rally was aimed at exposing Congress' double standards on backward class upliftment and highlight failed promises by the Chief Minister, it was largely to negate the impression on BJP being an anti-dalit party among voters.

The rally was also masterminded to quell dissent within the party. With its SC/ST rally earlier in October, this was the second event aimed at garnering support of backward classes. B S Yeddyurappa's masterstroke to counter a brewing rebellion within the party became fruitful with this mega rally. Both these rallies came as checkmate to K S Eshwarappa who, with his show of strength with Sangolli Rayanna Brigade, had given B S Yeddyurappa jitters.