Assembly elections: Yediyurappa feels Rahul’s Karnataka visit will help BJP

Elections in Karnataka will be held by May. It is a three-cornered fight between the BJP, Congress and Janata Dal (S).

Former Chief Minister of Karnataka B S Yediyurappa is unfazed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's visit to the poll bound state.

"It will have no impact on the BJP. Instead his visit will bring more seats for us," Yediyurappa told reporters.

Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Karnataka on March 20. During his visit, he will take part in a youth manifesto programme and also announce the fourth promise of the Congress party.

Amidst the election heat, there have been reports of disgruntlement among many aspirants eyeing for tickets.

Yediyurappa had to call off a Vijaya Sankalpa Yatra at Mudigere following demonstrations against and in favour of fielding sitting MLA, M P Kumaraswamy. The leader was stopped by BJP workers protesting against the candidature of three-time MLA from the constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes.

Following this Yediyurappa and the other leaders left for Chickamagaluru where they took part in a public meeting held as part of the Yatra.

In another development, Yediyurappa told reporters that as the BJP is retiring to power, the number of aspirants will be more in all assembly segments. But we will face the election unitedly, he also said.

On being asked who would be the party's chief ministerial candidate, Yediyurappa that the party leadership will take a call on that.

"As far as my knowledge is concerned, Basavaraj Bommai is doing good. However we are abiding by the decision of the high command," he also said.

Clearing the air on senior leader V Somanna, who according to reports is disgruntled with the party, Yediyurappa said that there was nothing to worry.

On being asked why Somanna is visiting Delhi, Yediyurappa said, "he has gone there on some other work. There is no disappointment as such in him. He has performed well as an MLA in his constituency. All is well in the party."

Bommai too echoed Yediyurappa's sentiments and said that the stiff competition among aspirants for a BJP ticket in several segments is an indication that the party is coming back to power. There will always be stiff competition in the party that can win, so naturally we will win, Bommai also said.

On the Congress, Bommai said that they do not have any guarantee about themselves and that is why they are giving guarantee cards. What are people supposed to make out of it? "Make pickle?" Bommai also said.