Karnataka State elections are scheduled for the 2nd week of May 2018. Matthew Idiculla of CLPR writes in The Print, that since 2017 Mr.Siddaramaiah has started fashioning a campaign based on the “Karnataka Model of Development”. This model leverages the halo effect created by putting forward development policies and employs the communication power of Twitter to promote “#NavaKarnataka2025”.
On further examination the stimuli for the campaign seems to be the promise of “New India” by 2022 and the progress made by Karnataka vis-à-vis Gujarat. The results of the recent elections held in the North East seem to be the motivation behind its vigorous dissemination. In conclusion, Matthew examines the actions of the government and examines whether they bolster or undermine this vision.