With pre-poll surveys predicting an edge for the party, the Congress's election campaign has gathered steam in the poll-bound Karnataka. While senior leader Rahul Gandhi is back in Mangaluru on Thursday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge too is in his home state actively campaigning.
After Priyanka Gandhi, who was stationed in the state for the last two days, left for Delhi on Wednesday, senior leader Rahul Gandhi will be in the state. He will address a massive rally in the city.
Rahul will also interact with the members of the fishermen community at Uchila in Udupi, said reports quoting Congress candidate in Kaup constituency Vinay Kumar Sorake.
Meanwhile, Kharge will attend a press conference and a public meeting in Ron. Later in the day, he has another public meeting scheduled at Shirahatti.
Highlighting corruption
In view of the high-stakes battle, Congress is leaving no stone unturned to ensure victory, focusing on the local issues and attacking the BJP government for its alleged corruption. AICC general secretary K C Venugopal on Wednesday lashed out against the saffron party, stating that the people in Karnataka have decided to bring the Congress to power with an absolute majority. The BJP is in a pathetic condition after their 'misgovernance' in the last four years, he alleged.
Venugopal said the BJP came to power through horse-trading in the state and later indulged in corrupt deals to make money due to which people termed their rule as '40 per cent commission' government.
Priyanka Gandhi too, in her roadshows held on Wednesday that drew a massive crowd, highlighted the issues of price rise and unemployment. She said the "40 per cent BJP government" in Karnataka has looted the people of the State with multiple scams such as PSI recruitment and seeking commission from contractors among others. "Make Congress victorious, make Karnataka win. In this election, vote for your future, the future of your children and your state," she added.
The party also has a strong local leadership. KPCC chief D K Shivakumar has expressed confidence in winning. He reiterated on Wednesday that he can "give it in writing with blood" that the Congress win 150 seats, including the seat of Jagdish Shettar.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to interact with about 50 lakh workers of BJP in Karnataka through virtual mode on Thursday.
