The whole of Karnataka is witness to the divisive politics of the BJP, coupled with unprecedented levels of corruption, former AICC President Rahul Gandhi said, addressing a mammoth crowd at the Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah’s 75th birthday celebration in Davanagere on Wednesday.
“For Congress, language, history, culture of every state is important, because this is what makes India. However, BJP wants to impose only one idea on the State. They want to colonise the State,” he said. Mr. Gandhi said that Karnataka lived in harmony during Congress and nobody was “scared” as they are now. “Harmony and peace are essential for development,” he said.
Basavanna’s principles
He promised that after coming to power, Congress would give a clean and honest government. It would work for everyone and not spread hate. He also promised that the party would always follow Basavanna’s principles.
Emphasising that the Congress in Karnataka stands united in the fight against BJP’s “misrule”, Mr. Gandhi said that while Congress distributed the country’s wealth to the poor, the BJP snatched people’s wealth to give it to a few capitalists.
“They bow before Basavanna’s statue but steal from people’s pockets. Basavanna said be honest and say what you believe. But the opposite is being done by the BJP,” he said.
Praise for Siddaramaiah
Showering praises on Mr. Siddaramaiah, Mr. Gandhi credited him with giving a new direction and vision to the State as the Chief Minister.
Mr. Gandhi who began his speech by offering condolences to the flood victims, said that he usually does not go to birthdays, but had come to Davanagere as he shared a special bond with Mr. Siddaramaiah. “As a person I like Siddaramaiah, but I also share his views. I share his compassion for the poor and weak,” he said.
Sea of humanity
The birthday event saw several lakhs pouring from different parts of the State to wish their leader, in a show of strength. The crowd comprised people of different age groups and there were senior citizens who walked several kilometres to arrive at the event.
Siddaramappa from Koratagere village in Channagiri taluk of Davanagere district, 81, who had come with his 70-year-old wife Gangamma, said that he had made the trip at his wife’s insistence. “I have come here with ₹500 for food expenses,” he said.
Lakhs of people like him cheered Siddaramaiah and Congress every time the name was taken by the speakers on the dias. In fact when KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar took Siddaramaiah’s name and greeted him, the cheer lasted several minutes.
