Rahul Gandhi to Visit Six Backward Districts, Continue Temple Run During Congress' Karnataka Assembly Elections Campaign

Koppal: Congress president Rahul Gandhi has set the ball for the Karnataka Assembly election campaign rolling. The newly elected party president launched 'Janaashirwada Yatra' from Hospet in Bellary district on Saturday.

During the first leg of campaigning, Rahul has chosen to visit six backward districts in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, namely Hospet, Koppal, Raichur, Yadgir, Gulbarga and Bidar.

It began with a public rally at Hospet. It was attended by a rousing crowd, who were mostly supporters of Anand Singh, an ex-BJP MLA from the constituency who recently joined the Congress.

The Congress scion reminded those present of the benefits they've received since the UPA government amended the constitution to grant the region a special status under Article 371 (J).

He went on to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi about false promises on jobs and corruption while asking him to learn a lesson or two from Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah.

The praises for Siddaramaiah kept coming, leaving no doubt that he will be the chief ministerial candidate for the Congress in Karnataka.

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah runs the Karnataka vehicle by looking ahead but PM Modi is someone who drives his vehicle looking into the rearview mirror. He doesn’t know what is in front of him. If there's a pothole, the vehicle falls," said Rahul.

BJP was quick to respond to that jibe with State party president, BS Yeddyurappa hitting out at the Congress.

“Dear #ElectionHindu @OfficeOfRG, did the #RearViewMirror help you spot Santosh Lad, Anand Singh & Venugopal seated behind you and remind you of the land, mining & 'rape scam' (still wondering what it means)? Are Objects in the mirror closer than they appear? #Dare2Answer (sic),” tweeted the former CM.

Rahul continued his temple run in Karnataka as well. After the public meeting, the Congress leader sat in the Yatra vehicle and visited the Huligemma Temple. The 700-year-old worship spot is devoted to the self-manifestation of Goddess Durga and is located near the Tungabhadra River.

Next stop was the Gavi Siddeshwara Mutt in Koppal. Run by the Lingayat community, Rahul’s visit here is a sign that he was willing to reach out to traditional BJP voters as well. Children studying at an ashram run by the mutt trust came to receive the leader. He spent nearly 20 minutes inside.

On the last day of his trip, Rahul is scheduled to visit another Lingayat Mutt, Anubhav Mantapa, in Bidar. It is dedicated to the 12th-century reformer, Basavanna.

The Congress leader ended the day addressing two more public rallies in Koppal and Yelburga, where he reiterated that the public would soon have to make a choice and that their futures depended upon this.

On the second day of his rally, Rahul will travel through Koppal and Raichur and address a meeting with Farmers’ Union representatives at Sindanur in Raichur.