Yatra politics in full swing in poll bound Karnataka as date of elections remains a suspense

Normally in Karnataka, the elections are held in the month of May. The elections of 2004, 2008, 2013 and 2017 were held in the month of May. Will it be different in 2023

New Delhi, Feb 09: The BJP is going all out in Karnataka to ensure that it retains power in the state.

While the dates of the elections are not announced as yet, there are ample hints that it may be held early this year. According to the schedule the elections are to be held before May 2023. However this year it could be held in the month of April itself.

Former chief minister and senior BJP leader, B S Yediyurappa hinted that the elections could be held between April 10 and 12 2023. While excluding confidence that the BJP will win with a majority of 130-140 seats, Yediyurappa said his prediction says that the elections could be held before April 10 or 12.

In this backdrop the BJP will launch four mega rath yatras in the state of Karnataka under the name 'Vijay Yatras.' The four yantras will converge in time for the elections into a mega grand finale. The final grand rally would be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The four yatras according to news agency ANI will be launched from Dhawangiri, Chamrajnagar, Kittur Karnataka and Kalyan Karnataka. Scheduled to commence at the end of this month or early March, the yatra would cover all 224 constituencies of the state. The report said that the yatra would last 18-20 days as the party plans on travelling 12 constituencies a day.

Yatra politics:

Not just the BJP, but the two other main parties-Congress and JD(S) too have launched their own yatras. Last week, the Congress launched the second phase of the bus yatra as part of its campaign. Like the BJP, the Congress too said that it is confident of winning 136 seats in the elections.

The JD(S) on its part led by former chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy launched the Pancharatna Yatra in December. The yatra according to the party was to inform the people about a five fold plan called Pancharatna that the party plans to implement upon coming to power. This would include, quality education, health, housing, farmer welfare and employment, the party said.

The BJP on the other hand wants to leave no stone unturned. Unlike last time when there were reports of the campaign starting late, this time the BJP wants to be on top of its game.

For its yatras it has formed four teams to oversee the preparations. The four yatras would be conducted by Chief Minister, Basavaraj Bommai, B S Yediyurappa, BJP's state president Nalin Kumar Kateel and BJP state in-charge, Arun Singh would conduct the yatra.

Election dates:

Last time in 2018 the elections in Karnataka were held on May 12 and the results were declared on May 15.

In 2013, the elections were held on May 5, while in 2008, Karnataka went to polls on May 10.

The 2004 elections in Karnataka were held on May 10. In 1999, the elections were not held in May. The state went to polls on September 20 1999.