BANGALORE: After its attempt to oust the 36- month-old scam-tainted BJP government failing, a bruised Congress party has now decided to strengthen itself from the grassroots to counter the spread of the saffron brigade which is threatening to foray into its traditional rural vote bank.Almost all Central ministers representing Karnataka, including S M Krishna, Mallikarjun Kharge, K H Muniyappa and Veerappa Moily, will take part in the three month mass-contact programme of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) titled, “Congress nadige Janara balige (Congress march towards people)”. The programme will be formally inaugurated on June 15 at Kora village, Tumkur district.During the programme, KPCC will highlight the performance of the UPA government, such as the various pro-people schemes launched by them across the country, including that of its flagship programme, the Mahathma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), and the 108 ambulance facility. The party is also expected to create awareness about the corruption of the B S Yeddyurappa-led BJP government.“As many as 455 teams will tour all the 5,628 gram panchayats in the state and conduct public meetings after rejuvenating the party base at the booth committee level,” KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar told Express.He said that every party leader, be it a Central minister, MP/MLA or an AICC or PCC functionary, would visit at least 35 panchayat areas and discuss with the party workers various issues.Former minister Kagodu Thimmappa will chair a KPCC coordination committee, which will monitor the successful conduct of the campaign of the Congress.The campaign is not just about publicising the Central government-sponsored schemes being implemented in the state, but also about identifying and recognising loyal party workers and entrusting them with responsibility, he said.This move is aimed at hold ing the party’s fort intact at their levels and thwart attempts by the BJP to lure them into their side.Echoing Dr Parmeshwar’s sentiments, Thimmappa said: “Gone are the days when party candidates were sure about winning elections by just obtaining a party ticket.” An old-guard of the Socialist brigade, he averred that it is time Congress workers unite and face the challenges posed by the BJP in the interest of ensuring social justice to all. CONG PROTESTS AT JAYADEVA HOSPITALBANGALORE: Protesting the hospitalisation of an accused allegedly involved in plotting the murder of Congress leader D K Shivakumar’s brother, party activists staged a peaceful dharna in front of the Jayadeva Hospital here on Sunday. Activists from Ramanagaram district led by Congress MLC Ravi staged a peaceful protest and demanded the immediate shifting of Balanarsimhe Gowda, a JD(S) leader, and also the main accused in the murder conspiracy of a Congress leader. The demonstrators submitted a memorandum to the hospital superintendent on the occasion. Elaborate security arrangements were made by the police to prevent any unsavoury incident.
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