Amit Shah to return in a month to assess poll preparedness: BS Yeddyurappa

MANGALURU: Former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said that Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah has asked all party leaders to work and reach out to every household in the state in a month’s time.
The senior state BJP leaders participated in an hour-long closed-door meeting chaired by Amit Shah on Saturday. The meeting commenced at around 6.30pm and saw the participation of CM Basavaraj Bommai, former CM BS Yeddyurappa, BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel, ministers along with other senior party functionaries from six districts including Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Yeddyurappa told reporters that the BJP leaders were told to focus more on Congress-dominant assembly constituencies. “Party workers have been told to work unitedly and reach out to every village in one month. He will return to the state after a month to discuss the progress in connection with the party’s election preparations. Selection of candidates was not discussed at the meeting,” Yeddyurappa said.
Former minister KS Eshwarappa said that Shah has given them directions on how to win the upcoming assembly elections.
Pratap Simha, MP, Mysuru-Kodagu said that Shah guided everyone to prepare for the election in the coming days. The party in Shivamogga and Dakshina Kannada Units has won 29 seats out of 33. Shah wants to retain 29 seats and win the rest of the assembly seats.
A senior leader said that there was no discussion on the replacement of incumbent MLAs or the introduction of new faces. “An internal survey of each MLA’s performance is in progress. Shah will decide on the candidates in the coming days,” he said.
After attending the Campco golden jubilee celebrations in Puttur, Shah arrived at Mangaluru International Airport around 6 pm in a BSF Helicopter. He then participated in a roadshow (300 meters) in an open vehicle from the Airport exit road till Sri Devi Engineering College in Kenjar, the meeting venue. Chief Minister Bommai, former chief minister Yediyurappa and Nalin Kumar Kateel joined the roadshow. A large group of party workers gathered to welcome Shah.
BJP Dakshina Kannada unit had planned a roadshow from Kavoor to Padavinangady, but was cancelled due to security reasons.