Reasons why Siddaramaiah should worry about Amit Shah's visit
- Amit Shah is credited with several victories since the affron party came to power in the Centre in 2014
- Shah is known as the master strategist of the BJP and his political calculations have almost always turned right
- His three-day visit to Karnataka is seen as a prelude to the party's campaigning ahead of the elections
The timing of the visit of AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi and BJP national president Amit Shah may be brushed off as coincidental but the latter's visit could leave Chief Minister Siddaramaiah worried. For Amit Shah has been often credited with plotting the victory path for the Saffron party and his three-day visit to the Karnataka is being regarded as the prelude to the party's campaigning ahead of the Assembly elections in 2018.
Since his arrival in Bengaluru on Saturday, Shah has been taking stock of the party leaders' track record and chalking out plans for the party in the election year. If that's not enough for Siddaramaiah and his party leaders to rework their party strategy, here are three reasons that the Congress leaders may be worried.
"Karnataka elections are more important than Gujarat"
By Shah's own admission, "Karnataka elections are more important than Gujarat and this should send a warning signal to the Congress government." The recently concluded Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat has had an impact on the Congress government in the State. During this time around, the Income Tax officials conducted a surprise raid on Energy minister DK Shivakumar who had volunteered to host Congress legislators to prevent them from BJP's poaching tactics. It was a litmus test for both Patel and Shivakumar to prove themselves. While Shivakumar braved the raid, Patel won the elections in Gujarat. Besides, Gujarat state is facing elections by the end of the year. Yet, Shah claimed that the state's elections - scheduled for 2018 - are more important than Gujarat elections.
BJP to adopt UP model
Shah who has been credited with the massive victory in 2014 general elections repeated his magic even in the Uttar Pradesh too. Shah known as the master strategist of the party, has been reiterating that he will repeat the UP model in Karnataka to help the party establish its base in the South.
In fact, Karnataka is the only state with the Congress rule in the country and the BJP is planning to fight it out to throw the Siddaramaiah government. It is reported that Shah was insisting on strengthening booth-level workers in every district as he believes that they play a pivotal role in consolidating the votes for the party. In fact, it is the same method he had reportedly adopted in the Uttar Pradesh.
Induct more OBC, SC, ST workers
Amit Shah has reportedly asked the State BJP leaders to induct a large number of leaders and workers belonging to OBCs, SCs and STs, considered vote bank of Congress. At a time when the Siddaramaiah government has created a rift within the Lingayat community - who are now demanding a separate religion - Shah's call to recruit more leaders and workers from these communities may upset Siddaramaiah's caste calculations.