02 Mar 2023 | 09:25 PM UTC
India: Bharatiya Janata Party to rally across Karnataka State through March 25
Bharatiya Janata Party to rally across Karnataka State, India, through March 25; officials deploy heightened security, plan road closures.
Event
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will rally across Karnataka State through March 25 as part of its so-called Vijay Sankalp Yatra movement. Participants seek to garner grassroots-level support ahead of the assembly elections slated to occur by May. BJP activists will notably launch a series of processions of specially built chariots from several locations. Supporters plan to hold more than 80 rallies, 74 public meetings, and some 150 roadshows.
Home Minister Amit Shah will reportedly inaugurate one of the processions at the Anubhava Mantapa venue in Bidar District at 11:00 March 3 in addition to holding various rallies and visiting temples March 3-4. Further gatherings will occur over the coming weeks and end with a large rally in Davangere March 25, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend. Though organizers did not immediately specify additional details, typical rally venues include temples as well as prominent government buildings, public squares or grounds, and thoroughfares. Organizers may change route details or dates of the scheduled events with little-to-no notice.
Authorities will almost certainly increase security near the procession routes. Officials have reportedly deployed heightened security across Bidar District ahead of Shah’s visit March 3-4; security personnel will also close some roads and divert traffic on major highways 08:00-15:00 March 3. Isolated clashes between police and activists, or between supporters of opposing political camps, cannot be ruled out. Associated transport and business disruptions are likely to occur in areas subject to the rallies through March 25.
Advice
Avoid the rallies as a standard security precaution. Do not attempt to cross any roadblocks set up by demonstrators; wait for the police to dismantle them before proceeding. Allow additional travel time near BJP rallies. Monitor official announcements regarding additional public gatherings and any road closures. Heed all official security and transport advisories.
