Bengaluru: There is a surprise in store for Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he arrives to address a humongous gathering in the cultural capital of Karnataka, Mysuru.

The prime minister will be gifted a Kannada translation of his own poem titled Ananta Atmavishwas by local MLA SA Ramdas. Incidentally, this poem was written by Modi way back in 1986 when he was a pracharak of the Rashtreeya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The poem talks about the importance of having self-confidence in order to face trials and tribulations in one’s life.

Modi will also be gifted a silver idol of goddess Chamundeshwari mounted on a lion. Goddess Chamundeshwari is the principal deity of Mysuru. A grand temple is dedicated to her atop the beautiful Chamundeshwari hills in Mysuru.

The BJP is betting its money on incumbent MP from the Mysuru-Kodagu region Pratap Simha. He is a former journalist. He defeated H Vishwanath of the Congress last time in 2014. This time, the Congress is banking on CH Vijayashankar, a former minister in the state BJP government headed by BS Yeddyurappa.

Before heading to Mysuru, Modi will address another gathering in Karnataka’s Chitradurga, popularly known as the fort town.

“He will focus on the activities done by the BJP for Karnataka and he will also analyse the dosti sarkar (Congress-JD(S) coalition government), how people are being put to trouble by the combination. He will try to convince the electorate about the importance of the BJP government in the country,” says Shreenath Sheshadri, a BJP spokesperson.

The very presence of PM Modi is sure to make the opposition sit and take notice. It is needless to say they will be listening to what Modi says with rapt attention.

Karnataka will go to polls in two phases, on April 18 and 23. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.