Bengaluru:
Ahead of the Assembly polls in Karnataka, BJP chief Amit Shah on Friday visited old Mysuru region, where the party had not won a single seat in the previous election.
"BJP President Amit Shah visited Suttur Math in Mysore & met Math head Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji; Ananth Kumar & BS Yeddyurappa also present," the news agency ANI reported.
Later in the day, the party chief met erstwhile royal family of Mysuru, which triggered speculations about their supporting or joining the BJP.
However, scion of royal family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has ruled out political entry and said he got to know about Shah's meeting with the family through the media.
"I have got this information only through the press. I can't say anything about it," he told reporters in Mysuru, when asked about the meeting with Shah.
"I have told several times that I'm not interested in politics. There is no chance at all about me joining any party. I'm not interested in politics. Through social work we will continue our relationship with the public," he said.
Ananth Kumar and BS Yeddyurappa were also present during Shah's vsiit to the Mysuru palace.
BJP President Amit Shah met erstwhile royals of Mysuru at the Mysuru Palace. Ananth Kumar & BS Yeddyurappa were also present. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/inM10Lbx25
— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2018
"Condemn the killing of BJP & RSS workers under Congress rule. More than 24 workers have died & the police hasn't taken any action against the killers, they are roaming around free. Siddaramaiah govt's end is nearing & once BJP is in power we will ensure justice said the BJP cheif during his visit to Mysuru.
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"In a slip of tongue, I said that Yeddyurappa govt is corrupt instead of Siddaramaiah's, & the entire Congress party started to rejoice. I want to tell Rahul Gandhi, that I might have made a mistake but the people of Karnataka will not," Shah stated while addressing a gathering in Mysuru.
Later in the day Shah interacted with Dalit leaders at Rajendra Kalamandira in Mysuru after slogans were raised against Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde over his remarks on the constitution.
#WATCH Disturbance at BJP President Amit Shah's interaction with Dalit leaders at Rajendra Kalamandira in Mysuru after slogans were raised against Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde over his remarks on the constitution. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/33BQsMz8z1
— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2018
As part of his ‘Karunada Jagruti Yatre’, Shah will also tour Chamarajanagara, Mandya and Ramanagara districts on March 30 and 31.
Out of the total 26 seats in the four districts, considered as the Vokkaliga heartland, BJP did not win even a single seat during the 2013 Assembly elections.
Moreover, the region is the home turf of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who hails from Mysuru.
Former Chief Minister and state JD(S) chief H D Kumaraswamy and senior minister D K Shivakumar enjoy considerable influence in the region.
Continuing his two-day tour, Shah will also visit the famous Nanjanagudu Srikanteshwara and the Melukote Cheluvanarayanaswamy temples.
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Shah's schedule also includes meeting with Dalit leaders and lunch with them. He will also interact with organic farmers and women, take part in ST convention, visit Channapatna Craft Park and interact with silk growers and silk industry.
BJP President Amit Shah visited Suttur Math in Mysore & met Math head Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji; Ananth Kumar & BS Yeddyurappa also present. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/crj3RZ6VGj
— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2018
Recently, Congress President Rahul Gandhi too toured the region for two days.
Interestingly, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too is camping in Mysuru from Froday till April 2 and will take part in the campaign activities.
Siddaramaiah has already announced his intentions to? contest from Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysuru district.
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This is the fourth leg of Shah's tour in the state. He has already covered parts of coastal and Malnad, north, and central regions of the state.
The Election Commission had announced a single-phase election on May 12 for the 224-member Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
