With the Karnataka Assembly elections round the corner, senior politicians belonging to various parties are currently thronging the southern state, campaigning for their respective candidates.
The Congress’s campaign is relying heavily on micro-management, with the party’s central leadership putting special focus on 70-odd “touch and go” constituencies and making last-mile interventions to ensure that the word of its promised four “guarantees” (the centrepiece of its manifesto) reach every household.
Gandhi began his campaign trail by taking part in marathon party rallies on April 16. The leader is expected to spend a total of 12 days in the state – his speeches centred around local issues, with a focus on allegations of corruption against the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government.
We track Rahul Gandhi’s campaign trail in Karnataka
1) When, Where: April 16, Kolar
What he said: In the city where he made a controversial speech in 2019 which ultimately led to his disqualification as an MP last month, Rahul Gandhi demanded that the BJP-led Union government release the caste census report commissioned by his party-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2011, and said the Centre should lift the 50% cap on quota.
“Only seven per cent of secretaries in Central government offices are from OBC and SC/ST communities… Modiji, you talk about (the welfare of) OBCs. Let us know what their share is in the population. If you don’t do this, it is an insult to OBC communities,” Rahul said at the ‘Jai Bharat’ rally in the poll-bound state.
2) When, Where: April 17, Bhalki and Humnabad in Bidar district
His next stop was Bidar, where the Congress leader, in back-to-back rallies said that the party needs to win a minimum of 150 seats in the May 10 Karnataka polls out of 224, otherwise the BJP will rob the verdict like in 2018, when a Congress-JD(S) coalition government was toppled.
What he said: The Congress needs to win a minimum of 150 seats in the May 10 Karnataka polls out of 224, otherwise the BJP will rob the verdict like in 2018, when a Congress-JD(S) coalition government was toppled by the BJP, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said at back-to-back rallies held in the Bidar region of north Karnataka on Monday.
3) When, Where: April 23, Vijaypura in Bijapur district
On April 23, the Congress leader stepped up the Congress’s outreach to the Lingayat community in North Karnataka, as he kicked off his two-day tour of the state – the erstwhile MP toured Vijaypura in Bijapur district.
What he said: Addressing a public meeting, Rahul attacked the BJP and RSS for their “divisive ideologies” which, he said, were incompatible with the ideals of Basavanna, the 12th-century reformer who founded the Lingayat sect.
“Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and BJP leaders talk about Basavanna. But, they don’t know what he taught,” Rahul told the gathering. He added, “Basavanna did not teach us to help billionaires. I have read Basavanna. He has not written anywhere that resources be given away to Adani.”
The guarantees made by the Congress for the Karnataka polls are based on the saint’s ideals to protect women and help the poor, Rahul said, listing them — a Gruha Lakshmi scheme promising Rs 2,000 each for every woman head of the family; Gruha Jyothi, or 200 units of free power; Yuva Nidhi, promising unemployment allowance; and Anna Bhagya. pledging free 10 kg rice per member of a family.
4) When, Where: April 24, Haveri district, Ramdurg (Belagavi district)
What he said: In a public meeting in Haveri district, Rahul Gandhi hit out at the BJP-led government at the Centre, accusing it of promoting privatisation of state-owned companies and reducing the number of government jobs in the country.
“When Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, he said two crore youth would be given jobs every year. (But) unemployment is highest today in 40 years,” he said.
Earlier in his interaction with sugarcane farmers at Ramdurg in Belagavi district, he said India’s progress depended on the progress of its farmers, labourers and small businesses.
5) When, Where: April 27, Mangaluru, Udipi district
After a two-day break, Gandhi resumed his tour and addressed rallies in the Udipi and Dakshin Kannada districts.
What he said: In Udipi, Gandhi promised Rs 10 lakh insurance cover for fishermen, one lakh interest-free loan to fisherwomen and Rs 25 subsidy per litre of diesel up to a maximum of 500 litres per day, if Congress is voted to power. The leader also interacted with members of the fishing community at Kapu in Udupi district.
In Mangaluru, Gandhi announced the fifth poll “guarantee” of the Congres, promising free travel for women in public transport buses.
— With PTI inputs
