With nine months left for the Assembly elections, Karnataka Congress sought to use the mammoth 75th birthday event of Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah at Davangere on Wednesday to send out a message of unity among its leaders.
Showering praises on Mr. Siddaramaiah’s five-year governance and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar’s organisational skills — the two leaders who are seen as being at loggerheads and rival contenders for the Chief Minister’s post — MP and former AICC president Rahul Gandhi said, “The State Congress stands united to fight against the BJP’s misrule and unseat it from power.”
Mr. Shivakumar felicitated and hugged Mr. Siddaramaiah in a public show of unity and bonhomie, prompting Mr. Gandhi to express happiness.