Preparations complete for Abhimanotsava in Chitradurga; organisers expect huge turnout

Preparations for the BSY Abhimanotsava — a mega event celebrating former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa’s 50 years in public life — are complete, with the event scheduled to take place in Chitradurga on Saturday.

Organisers expect a massive turnout, with BJP leaders anticipating nearly 10 lakh people from across Karnataka, making it a historic gathering. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will grace the occasion, flying from Kolkata to Shivamogga Airport by 3.35 p.m., then proceeding to Chitradurga by helicopter.

Govind Kajrol, Chitradurga MP, will preside over the event. Union Minister of Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi, former Chief Ministers D.V. Sadanada Gowda, Jagadish Shettar, Basavaraj Bomai, Leaders of Opposition R. Ashok, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, and others will attend the programme.

Besides that, many seers of prominent mutts are expected to take part in the programme. They include Shivacharya Swamy of Rambhapuri Mutt at Balehonnur, Shivamurthy Shivacharya Swamy of Sirigere Mutt, Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamy of Suttrur Mutt, Nirmalanandanath Swamy of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, among others.

Chitradurga MP and honorary president of the Yediyurappa Abhimanotsava Committee, Govind Karjol, said the programme aims to honour Yediyurappa’s five-decade-long political journey. Beginning with being elected to the local urban body in Shikaripura, Yediyurappa rose through the ranks to become the Chief Minister of Karnataka, widely credited with implementing people-friendly schemes and championing the cause of farmers and marginalised communities.

The organisers will felicitate him in recognition of his outstanding service to the State. District-level coordinators have been appointed to mobilise his supporters, and multiple preparatory meetings have been held across the State in this regard.

Notably, around 50,000 people are expected from Shivamogga district alone — the place where Yediyurappa’s political journey began. Hundreds of buses have been arranged, especially from neighbouring districts, to transport participants to the venue. Public transport is expected to be impacted by the event on Saturday.

BJP legislators have been assigned specific responsibilities to ensure smooth arrangements, and lunch will be provided to all attendees at the venue.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the sprawling pandal was held on April 26. Since then, several senior BJP leaders have visited the site regularly to monitor the preparations.

The district police have made elaborate security arrangements for the event. Additional police officers have been called from Davangere, Shivamogga, Haveri, Belagavi, Gadag, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Hubli, Ballari, Raichur, Koppal, Vijayanagar, and Bengaluru for security arrangements.

A total of 2,800 police officials will be on duty, including two officers of SP rank, four additional SPs, 19 Dy. SPs, 73 circle inspectors and 117 PSIs.