Karnataka elections 2023: Kannada superstar Kichcha Sudeepa to begin campaigning for BJP, says report

Karnataka Elections 2023: Kannada superstar Kichcha Sudeepa will begin campaigning for the BJP on Tuesday from Bagalkot district, news agency IANS quoted party sources in a report. The sources confirmed that the actor would accompany Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and take part in a roadshow organised during the filing of nominations for state ministers Govind Karjol and Murugesh Nirani, it added. 

Karajol is filing his nomination from Mudhol Reserve constituency and Nirani from Bilagi -- both in Bagalkot. Bommai and Sudeepa have already arrived in the district on board special chopper. The fans and BJP party workers have already made posters and special invitations in this regard.

By roping in Kichcha Sudeepa, the BJP wants to consolidate its strength in north Karnataka among the Valmiki community voters. Bagalkot has 2.65 lakh scheduled castes (SC) votes and 1.25 lakh scheduled tribes (ST) votes. The district has seven Assembly constituencies. Along with his large fan base across Karnataka, the saffron party will gain the votes of oppressed classes through Kichcha Sudeepa.

The party is also planning a mega event in south Karnataka where Kichcha Sudeepa will share the dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The party sources have said that the venue for the programme is being finalised.

Election officials check Annamalai, find no violation of the poll code

Meanwhile, Election officials, who checked BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai's room, vehicles and the helicopter by which he arrived in Udupi, have said there were no violations of the model code of conduct on his part, news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) said in a report. In a press release, Udupi election officer Seetha said Annamalai arrived in Udupi by helicopter at 9.55 am on Monday. The helicopter and the bag he carried were inspected by a team of officials, who found no material that violated the model code of conduct, the report added.

After leaving the hotel and announcing his intention to visit the Kaup constituency, the SST team inspected again at the Udyavar check post. Annamalai arrived at the Ocean Pearl Hotel near Kadiyali around 2 pm and inspections were conducted at every stage, with no violations found.

The statement was released after Kaup Congress candidate Vinay Kumar Sorake alleged that Annamalai had brought a large sum of cash by helicopter to distribute to the people in Udupi. Annamalai is the election co-in-charge of Karnataka for the May 10 elections.