After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s famous Chai pe Charcha, the JD(S) led by its supremo HD Deve Gowda in Karnataka is gearing up for the ensuing 2018 Assembly elections in a novel way of connecting with people. Next week the party which is struggling to come back would launch a programme to connect with the people called ‘Karnataka asmithe: Roti mathu mudde mele pradeshika pakshagala mele charche’ (Karnataka’s pride: discussion over roti and mudde on the relevance of regional parties).
The JD(S), not lagging behind other national parties like the ruling Congress and the BJP in Karnataka in theatrics of politics, is expected to play a major role in the Assembly polls is leaving no stone unturned. This programme with a desi touch on the palate of the people is expected to help the JD(S) a regional party for an outreach to win the hearts of the people.
The party has drawn up a full course meal in its urge to influence the people across the state with roti and mudde — a popular steamed staple dish made of finger millet — with side dishes. Ragi Balls or Ragi Mudde — a dish became popular when Deve Gowda was the Prime Minister in 1996 and it was also introduced in some posh hotels in Delhi.
As per the itinerary of the party, JD(S) leaders will go to villages and organise the full course meal with Ragi Mudde or jawar roti in north Karnataka then discuss about the role of regional party and their need in the State. They would ask voters to choose JD(S) as an alternative to both the Congress and the BJP. The Opposition BJP has already started a 36 day “Jana Sampark Abhiyan” ahead of Assembly polls next year to expose Siddaramaiah. The Congress led by Siddaramaiah has already chalked out a plan for a tour to meet the people across the State.
According to YSV Datta, a JD(S) leader and close confidant of Deve Gowda this novel programme would help the party and also would evoke a debate on the relevance of regional parties like JD(S).
He said, “We would have meals with people to discuss the relevance of regional parties and whether national parties have delivered the goods after having ruled the State for more than 60 years.” “We will run this food and talk initiative until March next year to get the people’s perspective on how parties, including ours, have done so far,” adds Datta.
“We thought a platform was needed for the common man to sit and raise questions and issues about the relevance of regional parties and whether national parties have actually performed in Karnataka,” Datta said.
“The discussions will be open to anyone, even members of other parties, as our idea is to get maximum feedback from the people,” Datta said.
Meanwhile another JDS MlC TA Saravana announced launch of ‘Namma Appaji Canteen’ in south Bangalore’s Basavanagudi area in honour of Gowda, who turned 85 recently. Even though it is a personal decision of the MlC, they expect to garner some votes in Bengaluru South which is crucial for any party. JDs cadres address Gowda as Appaji out of respect. Government of Karnataka has also announced launch of Indira Canteen in 198 localities with a budget of rupees 100 crores an affordable eatery concept is based on the ‘Amma Canteens’ launched by the late Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu.
The JDs which is called Mannina Magana party (farmers party) was formed in 1999 after a split with the original JDs by Devegowda. The party has clout in old Mysuru districts and party is ready to fight elections with a new way to reach out to the people.