‘Mangalore should be known world over’

City should make use of high literacy and good infrastructure: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi interacting with the people after a Congress rally on Friday.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who addressed a public meeting as part of party’s campaign for its candidate B. Janardhana Poojary on Friday, said Mangalore should be the second city from Karnataka after Bangalore to be known world over.

He said it could be done very easily because of the high literacy and good infrastructure. People of Mangalore and Karnataka will benefit a lot from the industrial corridor proposed along the road connecting metropolitan cities. He asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was on the dais with him, to concentrate on developing Mangalore.

Councillor issue

Most leaders who addressed the Congress party’s public meeting at Nehru Maidan criticised the BJP’s Hindutva agenda and cited the recent alleged sexual assault of a Congress councillor by BJP men. While Mr. Gandhi himself referred to it as part of his tirade against the BJP for its “politics of anger”, KPCC President G. Parameshwara questioned the whether the BJP had any moral right to talk about Hindutva.

A Loner

Congress candidate B. Janardhana Poojary was found standing alone in a corner of the ground while a few leader occupied the tall stage erected at one end. He stood still all through the hour programme hearing Mr. Parameshwar, Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Gandhi.

Closer look

A group of people had gathered along the grills of the Nehru Maidan close to the stage to get a view of Mr. Gandhi getting out of his car. Soon after getting the glimpse, people started to move into the Maidan.

He came to see Rahul

A few started to walk out of the Maidan soon as Mr. Gandhi began his speech. One among them was Prafulla Monteiro from Vittal. “I have left my place (Vittal) around 2 p.m. I am happy to see Mr. Rahul. Now I have to leave to reach in time,” she said. Idinabba from Beltangady, who is hard of hearing, had problem understanding Rahul’s speech. “But I am happy to see him on screen,” he said.

Shortage of water

Inadequate drinking water facility made it difficult for people to wait for Rahul Gandhi in the Nehru Maidan in a sunny and humid condition.

The water filled plastic cups kept at different entries into the venue were exhausted before Rahul Gandhi arrived at the venue around 5.30 p.m.

Those entering the venue were barred from taking water bottles inside.