Will Kateel's Moru pe charcha swing votes?

BENGALURU: It could be the Kateel way of striking a chord with voters in a state where the BJP has never won an Assembly seat. The MP representing Mangaluru, a place with historic connections to Kerala, has come up with   “Moru pe charcha” (discussion over buttermilk) and “Sambar pe charcha” campaigns, styled on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's “Chai pe charcha” initiative during the Lok Sabha polls in 2014. He and fellow BJP leaders have launched the campaigns in small towns in the run-up to polls to the Legislative Assembly in Kerala.

Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Kateel, the Kerala election in-charge from Karnataka said: “Our discussions over buttermilk and over sambar have attracted a good response, many people are attending the discussions”.

He claimed that people are fed up with the administration of the Congress led UDF, and the “politics of convenience” of the Left parties. His party would be able to wean away voters from UDF and Left parties, a fact mirrored by the growing response to rallies organized by his party, Mr Kateel asserted.

Post its alliance with Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) which claims the support of the majority Ezhava community, the BJP is hoping to improve its electoral fortunes in the state. Of the 3.34 crore population, Hindus account for 1.82 crore with Ezhavas constituting the majority. Earlier, people belonging the Ezhava community were supporting Left parties, but could back the the BJP-led alliance this time, Mr. Kateel added.

"Since the leaders of Left and UDF have not embarked on an election campaign in full swing, they delayed announcement of the list of candidates. Once the campaign gathers momentum, we will get a clear picture.

According to our forecast, the BJP led alliance will get 15 seats. We have increased our vote share in recently held elections to ZP, TP and GPs in Kerala. It will help the party expand our base in rural areas. At every booth, the BJP has its work force", Mr. Kateel explained.