Dakshina Kannada,  Mangaluru in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka has turned into a saffron town with BJP and RSS flags flanking its streets to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

Prime Minister Modi's visit is expected to give the ruling BJP in the state much needed impetus ahead of Assembly elections in 2023.

He is scheduled to reach Mangaluru at 2 p.m. and inaugurate, lay foundation stones for projects worth Rs 3,800 crore. The PM will then address a public rally for which the party leaders are making all-out efforts to gather a massive crowd.

According to sources in the ruling BJP, Prime Minister Modi's visit will assuage party workers of the saffron party and Hindu activists who have rebelled against the party. Murders of Hindu activists, especially of BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Kumar Nettaru, and pictures of accused in Bajrang Dal activist Harsha murder case enjoying perks at the prison, have put the party in a tight spot.

Hindu organisations such as Sri Rama Sena and Hindu Mahasabha have openly stated that they will damage the prospects of BJP in the upcoming Assembly elections. Social media campaign is also questioning the killings of Hindu activists during its tenure.

Party sources said that Prime Minister Modi will turn the wave and galvanise the party workers to win the upcoming Assembly elections. MLAs and ministers have carried out door to door campaigns in the coastal region to make PM Modi's programme a success.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday stated that Prime Minister Modi is visiting coastal town Mangaluru after a long time. With his visit, the coastal Karnataka will be gifted with a wholesome development package.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah has slammed the prime minister over his proposed visit. "You are welcome to Mangaluru. Your visit is for Vikas Darshan or Vinas Darshan?" Siddaramaiah questioned. "Please give your response to this question in your public address," he added.

The entrepreneurs in coastal Karnataka established Syndicate, Corporation, Vijaya, Canara and Karnataka banks. Among these, three banks have lost their existence. Is this not betrayal? Is this development or destruction? Siddaramaiah asked.

"Bajpe International airport and Nava Mangalore ports are being handed over phase by phase to your friend industrialist Adani. In June month alone narcotic substances worth Rs 1.5 crore have been seized by the police. In terms of consuming drugs, Dakshina Kannada district is in second place, is this destruction or development," he asked.