Bangalore, Apr 13: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would address two election rallies in Karnataka - one in Belgaum and another here, giving an impetus to BJP's campaign in the state. Vajpayee is slated to speak at a public meeting at the northern district headquarters town of Belgaum, which borders Maharashtra, and another at the National College grounds here in the evening, state party officials said.
Senior BJP leaders and chief ministers from party-ruled states would also campaign in Karnataka in the next few days, they said.
BJP has identified Karnataka, where polls to Lok Sabha and assembly are to be held simultaneously, as a key state and made no secret of its ambition to install a party government and make it a "gateway" to south India.
Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani spent four days in the state as part of his 'Bharat Uday Yatra' that took him to several districts last month.
In addition, the state unit has been undertaking 'Karnataka Uday Yatras' -- one led by Karnataka BJP chief H N Ananth Kumar and another by senior leader B S Yediyurappa.
The party has drafted film actor Saikumar for campaigning, especially in border districts of Tumkur and Kolar, where he has fans amongst Telugu speaking people.
Telugu filmstar Vijaya Shanti, known as 'Lady Amitabh', addressed public meetings in the two districts as well as one here yesterday.
Bureau Report