Hubballi: Congress president, Rahul Gandhi is all set to begin his party's election campaign in the state for the coming Lok Sabha poll from the BJP's stronghold of Haveri on Saturday.
With the BJP having won three consecutive polls from Haveri Lok Sabha constituency since 2004, the Congress is hoping his visit will enthuse the party workers at the grassroots ahead of the parliamentary elections.
A mammoth pandal has been erected at the municipal high school ground in Haveri for the rally, which local leaders claim will be attended by over a lakh people. "The Congress will showcase its strength and revive the party base in North Karnataka by holding thius rally in Haveri. Congress president, Rahul Gandhi is projected to be the next Prime Minister and he will send a strong message to the people of the region by flagging off the rally here," said minister Zameer Ahmed.
Mr Gandhi had gone on a 4 km padayatra in Ranibennur taluk of Haveri district and interacted with farmers along the route during his visit here when Mr Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister and announced a farm loan waiver and compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who had committed suicide under burden of their debts.
While Congress leader, Saleem Ahmad , who has been defeated in past polls, is hoping to contest for the third time from Haveri, others like D R Patil, brother of Congress leader, H K Patil, and former legislator, Basavaraj Shivannavar are also strong contenders for the ticket, said sources. Minister Zameer Ahmed, who is in charge of Haveri district, is demanding a ticket for his community either from Dharwad or Haveri parliamentary constituency, they add.
