Karnataka: Rally 2.0 Time for BJP reality check

Bengaluru: With 'Parivarthana Rally' logging more than 10,000 km and crisscrossing 70-odd Assembly constituencies, leaders of the core committee of BJP will meet on  Sunday to gauge its impact as well as draw up the strategy for the second leg, scheduled to commence from Hubballi on December 21. In addition, the leaders are set to discuss step to take on the ruling Congress, which seems to be one step ahead in terms of preparations and meetings in the run up to next year's elections to the Legislative Assembly. 

Sources in the party said the leaders were also concerned about controversial statements of leaders which caused immense embarrassment for the top brass of BJP. For instance, Union minister Ananth Kumar Hegde and Mr Pratap Simha, Member of Parliament, Mysuru- Kodagu, made objectionable remarks against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, resulting in resentment among voters and caustic comments in the social media. 

In the wake of Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyer's remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, resulting in his suspension, the BJP also cautioned about use of harsh words by its leaders against the Chief Minister. Mr. Siddaramaiah condemned the statement of Mr. Hegde and remarked that the Union minister's statement mirrors the mindset of BJP leaders, as well as the communal agenda of the party. In order to overcome such embarrassment, BJP leaders are likely to be told by the top brass against the use of unparliamentary words against the Chief Minister, as it could damage the image of the party during election campaign, sources added. 

Regarding the video posted on Facebook by Mr Prathap Simha, in which he claimed that he got aggressive in view of party president Amit Shah's instructions, a senior leader admitted that it caused more damage to the party than help gain advantage. All leaders are red-faced as Mr Pratap Simha dragged Mr Amit Shah into the controversy, the leader added.

Meanwhile, in a significant development, the party has dropped the idea of a bike rally at the inaugural of the second leg. It has instructed the cadre to arrive in buses or private vehicles. Since the bike rally in Bengaluru on November 2 flopped as local leaders failed to mobilize an impressive gathering, the party has dropped the idea of a similar rally in Hubballi.