Former Karnataka CM and JD (S) state chief HD Kumaraswamy will use a high-tech customised luxury caravan worth Rs 1 crore while campaigning for the upcoming polls. Even the last time around, during the 2013 campaign, the JD (S) chief ministerial aspirant had toured the state in a custom-built Toyota Commuter.
Deccan Herald’s Ashwini YS reports that the bus is a gift by the party’s minority cell president Syed Altaf to its only star campaigner, given party supremo and former PM HD Devegowda (84) is struggling with his health.
Kumaraswamy (57) who himself underwent a heart surgery recently will hit the campaign trail only in mid-November. The campaign named “grama vastavya’’ or village stay will cover 50 out of the 224 assembly constituencies.
“I aim to visit 20 villages every day. The custom-made bus will cater to all my needs — I can bathe, eat, hold meetings and even sleep in it,” Kumaraswamy told DH.
But it is not only Kumaraswamy that the bus will accommodate during the campaign trail, but his personal yoga instructor, a doctor and cook as well.
“I have always neglected my health, especially during my tours. The erratic eating and sleeping habits have taken a toll on my health. Hence, these elaborate measures,” the leader said.
Assembly elections are due less than a year away, as the current Siddaramaiah-led government finishes its term in May 2018.
What all features does the luxury vehicle have?
Hemant Kumar of The New Indian Express reports that the trademark JDS white and green luxury coach bus will have a bedroom, toilet-bathroom, a kitchenette and also a conference cubicle. The bus will have centralised air-conditioning and the “best suspension”.
“The luxury coach built on the Ashok Leyland bus chassis has cost about `1 crore. It also has a podium with a hydraulic lift, fitted with a modern public address system, to enable Kumaraswamy to address public meetings,” Atlaf told TNIE.
The bus is being readied by a private company specialising in customised buses in Karur, Tamil Nadu.