Mumbai April 17: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), after gaining control in 21 states out of 29 in India, is now pressing power to win the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections. The saffron party is leaving no stone unturned, and therefore has roped in Mumbai unit head Ashish Shelar and other star campaigners of Mumbai to promote candidates contesting the polls.

According to BJP insiders, party president Amit Shah has given Shelar responsibility of 47 constituencies. Shelar along with other party star campaigners will be promoting the candidates of these 47 constituencies. While he along with his team already has left for Bengaluru two days ago for the election campaign, and to discuss poll strategies.

Earlier, Shelar campaigned for the BJP in the Gujarat legislative polls held in the month of December last year. He was then tasked to promote 16 candidates of the party in Surat district. He, along with Gujarati speaking legislators and councillors of Mumbai civic body, were actively involved in electioneering in business-class dominated segment. Now, on similar note again Shelar has been given the Karnataka poll responsibility.

The total number of assembly seats in Karnataka are 224, while the elections are set to held on May 15, 2018 and results will be declared on May 15, a day later. The saffron party has announced two list of 154 candidates, while,the Congress party has also disclosed the first list of 218 candidates who would be contesting elections. Meanwhile, Janata Dal Secular has already announced candidates for 126 constituencies. The party is in alliance with Bahujan Samaj Party for Karnataka polls.

Buoyed by Tripura and Nagaland results, BJP now focusing completely on poll-bound Karnataka state. Also, this is the first time in the history of Indian politics that a party (BJP-led NDA) has gained control in as many states. While 24 years ago, the Congress had remained at the same position and controlled 18 states.  However, after may 2014 assembly elections since BJP came in power, Narendra Modi Prime Minister has led the saffron party to make victories in major state, thereby, expanding the party base.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 17, 2018 04:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).