MANGALURU: During the last assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi toured the length and breadth of the state trying to woo voters. This time too, both parties are waiting for the list of star campaigners to be released, though for the time being the focus is on finalising the candidates.The moment Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was made the Congress general secretary, Congress leaders were confident that Priyanka will be their star campaigner for the Lok Sabha polls. Speaking to STOI, K Harish Kumar, MLC and district Congress committee president said, “We have not received any confirmation regarding Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s visit. We are hoping that he would campaign across the coast. There is also uncertainty over Priyanka Gandhi visiting the state. For Congress, the star campaigners would be youngsters including deputy chief minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot and MP Jyotiraditya Scindia. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot may also campaign in Karnataka,” he said.Harish Kumar said the candidates’ list is expected to be out on March 20.The number of star campaigners depends on the candidates contesting the polls, not just from the party, but also from the opposite party.Party sources in the Dakshina Kannada BJP unit feel the star campaigners for the state are definitely, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party president Amit Shah as well as Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. One of them will definitely visit the coast. Union minister Smriti Irani is likely to campaign extensively along with top leaders like Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. “The focus of the party is on finalising its candidates. Several top leaders, including those from the Sangh, are meeting BJP state chief B S Yeddyurappa regarding candidates. Once that is done then the focus will be on campaigns. For the time being RSS karyakartas are focussing on the ground work,” he said.

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