Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued an open letter to the people of Karnataka a day before the Assembly elections in the state. The state will go to polls tomorrow with the ruling party BJP aiming to break the 38-year-old anti-incumbency factor in Karnataka to have victory in the state elections for a second consecutive term.

 “I’ve always felt loved and cherished by you. In my opinion, it is a divine feeling,” PM Modi wrote in the letter. “We Indians have intended to transform our beloved nation into a developed one in our ‘Azaadi ka Amrit Kaal’. Karnataka is eager to lead the initiative and realise the movement’s goals. At present India is the fifth largest economy and our aim now is to reach the top three. That will only be possible when Karnataka rapidly grows to become a $1 trillion economy.” The letter further read. 

PM Modi also held a 26-kilometre roadshow in Bengaluru on Saturday as a part of the BJP’s aggressive campaigning in the state in order to counter the threat posed by the Congress, led by political heavyweights DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, and the JD(S) led by HD Kumaraswamy. 

The PM further emphasised in his message the party’s dedication to Karnataka and its citizens. “Under the BJP government, Karnataka received over 90,000 crore in foreign investment per year during the COVID-19 epidemic. Under the previous administration, it was only about 30,000 crore,” the PM wrote. “We aspire to make Karnataka the best state for entrepreneurship, education, and employment as well as for investment, industry, and innovation.”

The BJP government will continue to work to develop next-generation urban infrastructure in Karnataka, modernise transport, improve the quality of life in rural and urban areas, and create opportunities for women and young people, the PM wrote in response to concerns about rural and urban infrastructure, transport, and jobs. The PM also stated in his letter, “The dream of every citizen of Karnataka is my dream.” 

Additionally, PM Modi urged Karnataka voters to cast votes on election day to make their state ‘No. 1’ in a different video message. 9.17 lakh of Karnataka’s 5.2 crore eligible voters first cast their votes in round one. The BJP has 224 candidates, the Congress has 223, and the JD(S) has 207 candidates. Voting for the 224-member Karnataka Assembly will begin tomorrow and the counting will be done on May 13.