Election fever is slowly gripping the state ahead of the formal announcement of dates for the Assembly polls by the Central Election Commission.
Rumours are rife that the dates are likely to be announced this week.
While the ruling BJP, which lost heavily in the recently held Urban Local Bodies elections, had been holding a series of meetings to select its candidates, the Congress buoyed by its performance in ULB polls, held a two-day brainstorming meeting last week to finalise its candidates.
AICC general secretary and observer Karnataka Affairs, Madhusudhan Mistry, has been camping in Bangalore for the last three days interacting with the state leaders to work out a strategy for the coming polls.
On the other hand, the Janata Dal (Secular) that failed to make an impressive performance in its stronghold- South Karnataka, has already named its candidates for the select Assembly constituencies, and is likely to announce the final list next week. Not lagging behind, former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa is waiting for a few more BJP legislators and ministers to join the Karnataka Janata Party to announce the list.
Worried over anti-incumbency factor, the BJP plans to hold a number of rallies in all district headquarters and party workers meeting as part of morale boosting exercise. The central BJP leaders are expected to name a new president for the state unit in a day or two to launch pre-poll preparations. “We have been holding a series of meetings of district chiefs to understand the pulse of voters. We will launch a hi-pitch campaign once the dates are announced,” said Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa.
On the other hand, the Congress leaders look forward to setting aside differences and bring the party back to power. There is a lot of demand for the Congress tickets due to its performance in ULB polls. “Giving more tickets to outsiders is certainly going to cause a heartburn for loyal leaders and workers. Distributing tickets without any problems is like winning 50 per cent of the election,” said a Congress leader on condition of anonymity.
After breaking up with BJP, Yeddyurappa has been working hardly to ensure victory of his new regional party.
“The KJP has decided to concentrate in 150 key constituencies,” said KJP Spokesperson V Dhananjayakumar.
The JD(S) is trying to keep its flock together following exodus of some leaders in the last 15 days.