Bangalore, March 15 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal began his road show here Saturday to campaign for his party's candidates contesting the general elections April 17 across Karnataka.
"Kejriwal's maiden road show in the city is drawing curious crowds and enthusiastic youth, including many who are volunteering to canvas for our candidates in the poll fray from the three Lok Sabha seats in the city," AAP spokesman Rohit Ranjan told IANS here.
Kick-starting the road show from Hebbal in northwest suburb amid tight security, Kejriwal's cavalcade passed through thickly populated localities such as Ganganagar, R T Nagar, Jayamahal, Cantonment and Queens Road in the city centre by noon.
Flanked by the party's candidates - former Infosys honcho V. Balakrishnan (Bangalore Central), Nina Nayak (Bangalore South), Babu Mathew (Bangalore North) as well as party's state unit convener Pritvi Reddy - in a maroon multi-utility vehicle with open rooftop, Kejriwal greeted and waved to the people who stood on both sides of the roads.
Though the AAP convey, led by a dozen motorbikes of its volunteers, stuck to the routes and thoroughfares cleared by the traffic police, its slow movement and gathering of people at signal junctions and cross-roads enroute caused grid lock as vehicular movement had to be diverted and restricted to ease the situation.
"We are sticking to the route cleared by the police and conducting the road show in accordance with the model code of conduct with the permitted number of vehicles. Other vehicles behind or in front of our convey belong to public, including some ardent fans who are extending support to our leader," Rajan said.
The fledgling party's symbol broom was held high by some of the candidates and volunteers.
Halting at every 2-3 km and holding a makeshift mike and loudspeaker, Kejriwal sought the people's support in strengthen his battle against corruption, price rise, criminal politicians and crony capitalists.
"I hope the intelligent and discerning voters of this reputed cosmopolitan will strengthen our party's battle against the ills plaguing the country by joining hands with us," Kejriwal asserted.
Urging the people to press the party's symbol in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) for providing an alternative government, Kejriwal said in chaste Hindi using English words liberally that Bangalore and Karnataka people had great responsibility to clean-up the system for transparent governance, infrastructure development and efficient delivery of goods and services by bureaucrats by electing his party to power.
After winding through the three Lok Sabha constituencies in the city, the road show will conclude at the War Memorial in the city centre by late Saturday.
Kejriwal will also attend a fund-raising dinner at a star hotel in the city late Saturday on the first day of his two-day weekend trip to the state.
He will drive Sunday to Chikkballapur, about 70km from here, to hold road shows and address a public meeting in the backward district from where union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister M. Veerappa Moily has been re-nominated by the ruling Congress to contest from the parliamentary constituency in the neighbouring district.
On return by Sunday afternoon, Kejriwal will address a public rally at Freedom Park in the city centre as part of the poll campaign.
Envoy invites Mamata to Pakistan
Kolkata, March 18 (IANS) Describing his meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as a "dream come true", Pakistan's High Commissioner Abdul Basit on Wednesday invited her to
Amitabh Bachchan: Big B became emotional after meeting fans outside Jalsa, shared the video, and said - If this is not there then it is nothing
Shahenshah of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan is active in the world of cinema even at this stage of his age. Fans shower their love on Big B. The actor has been in the industry for almost 55 years. In
Karan Johar lashes out at paparazzi over Dharmendra's case, saying, "Leave the family alone."
Karan Johar shared a post on his Instagram story, slamming the paparazzi. The filmmaker wrote a lengthy post about the incident involving actor Dharmendra. Dharmendra recently suffered a health scare
Dawood Ibrahim is trying to launch 800 tonnes of drugs in the market with an explosive? Security agencies worried
Mumbai Narcos Smuggling: Every day in the country some agency is catching a large consignment of drugs, despite this there has been no decrease in the buyers of drugs in the black market and its
Delhi HC's scathing comment on Corona: Government completely failed; This is not an ordinary struggle, war and no one thought that the attack would be like this
Issues such as corona infection, lack of oxygen, and beds were also heard in the Delhi High Court on Friday. Justices Vipin Singhai and Rekha Palli said the government failed. The country is
Samsung Galaxy A13 and A23 launched in India, Galaxy M33 5G will knock on this day
Samsung has launched 2 new cheap smartphones Samsung Galaxy A13 And Galaxy A23 4G in India. Both the phones have Full HD+ displays and run on Google's Android 12 version. These have an octa-core
Real life cyber crimes inspired 'Ladies and Gentlemen': Director
Chennai, Jan 28 (IANS) Director P.B Manjunath says real life cyber crimes inspired forthcoming Telugu film "Ladies and Gentlemen", which is about the role of the internet and its impact on human
Inflation will increase again: GST Council may increase the minimum tax rate; There may be a proposal to increase the slab from 5% to 8%
Once again there are signs of rising inflation. Everything, including edible oils, spices, tea, coffee, sugar, sweets, and life-saving drugs like insulin, can be costly. The GST Council may consider
India keep it 6-0 in World Cups against Pakistan
Adelaide, Feb 15 (IANS) India had won all their previous five meetings against Pakistan in the World Cup and it was no different Sunday as the defending champions defeated their neighbours by 76
Google Pixel 4a 5G can be launched in India on this date, to compete with OnePlus Nord
Tech giant Google has launched its two new Pixel phones Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G in the global market. These phones have not yet been launched in India. But according to the news, Pixel 4a can knock in
