The roadshow from Tumkur to Mysore via Mandya marked the culmination of the two-day whirlwind tour of several Lok Sabha constituencies by All India Congress Committee (AICC) vice-president Rahul Gandhi. The roadshow received a good response from party workers and onlookers, particularly along the Maddur-Mysore stretch of the State Highway 17.
It is another matter that the roadshow resulted in inconvenience to motorists, particularly those using the Mysore-Bangalore highway. Vehicular traffic is normally of a high order on this highway during the weekends.
The roadshow in Mandya district was curtailed as Mr. Gandhi had to rush to Mysore to board a special flight to New Delhi. Thousands of party workers, including youngsters, waited for hours to have a glimpse of Mr. Gandhi all along the highway.
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The AICC vice-president was accompanied by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president G. Parameshwara, Mandya MP Ramya and a few other leaders when Mr. Gandhi reached Nidasale.
Housing Minister and Mandya district in-charge Minister M.H. Ambareesh and others welcomed Mr. Gandhi who alighted from the vehicle and shook hands with a few workers and waved at others.
At Maddur, the Former External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and some other leaders welcomed Mr. Gandhi. Hundreds of party workers cheered when Mr. Gandhi took the blessings of Mr. Krishna by touching his feet. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah joined the roadshow in Maddur.
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In Mysore The Mysore leg of the roadshow commenced three hours behind schedule with Mr. Gandhi slated to reach the city by 4.30 p.m. and pass in front of the District Congress Committee office on Sayyaji Rao Road at 5 p.m. However, the convoy got to the office only at 8 p.m.
The delay, however, did not deter Congress workers who raised slogans and cheered Mr. Gandhi. Many had positioned themselves by 4 p.m., wearing khadi caps and waving party flags.
“We were prepared to wait the whole day as he is our leader, and we are not disappointed,” was the general refrain of the party workers.
“We see in him a bright future and as he is intelligent and charismatic who attracts the youth. Mr. Gandhi has a vision, and his roadshow will help motivate us,” said Shivakumar, president of the Legal and Human Rights Cell of the DCC, whose sentiments were echoed by staunch Congress followers.
Earlier, addressing a women’s convention at Tumkur, Mr. Gandhi said that the country cannot achieve the status of a superpower without the empowerment of women in all walks of life. “Unless the women of India are empowered, the country can never become a superpower. We want to use your (women’s) strength in the progress of this country,” he said.
He said that the States where women are being empowered are progressing at a faster pace than others. The Congress is ready to accommodate more women in the party’s organisational structure and while issuing ticket to contest elections, he said.
Noting that there were more number of men than women participating in the convention, Mr. Gandhi said, “The situation is no different in the Congress.” Men outnumbered women in the party organisation. More number of men, than women, seek ticket to contest elections either to the Legislative Assemblies or the Lok Sabha,” he said.