Bengaluru, Mar 17 (Reporter) Karnataka BJP President Vijayendra Yediyurappa on Sunday claimed the Congress was "facing challenges" in finding suitable candidates despite being in power in the state, and attributed it to the prevailing popularity of his party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi across the country. "Congress party despite being in power in the state, they aren't able to find candidates in any Lok Sabha constituencies. They're trying hard to convince their ministers to contest the elections but fortunately, the mood is in the favour of the BJP and Modi ji to become PM for the third time ... Hence Congress is finding it difficult to get candidates in Karnataka," he told reporters here. Regarding PM Modi's upcoming rally in Shivamogga parliamentary constituency, Vijayendra expressed gratitude and anticipated that his presence would further bolster the prospects of BJP candidate BY Raghavendra who is contesting for the fourth time. "We are fortunate that our PM will be addressing a rally in Shivamogga constituency. MP BY Raghavendra will be contesting for the fourth time. We are confident our PM's presence will give a further boost to our candidate in Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency," he said. Regarding the five guarantees announced by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Vijayendra stated that if Congress were truly confident in their policies, they would have no trouble finding candidates. "If Congress were confident about their policies, they would have candidates in different Lok Sabha constituencies. The fact that they are finding it difficult to get candidates, clearly states that the mood across the state is in the favour of Modi ji and in the favour of BJP," he said. Regarding veteran leader KS Eshwarappa's potential participation as a rebel in the Lok Sabha election, Vijayendra expressed confidence that efforts being made to convince him to align with the party will succeed. "All leaders are trying their best to convince Eshwarappa ji. I am confident he will agree and fall in line," he said...////...