‘Rahul roadshow will help party get extra support’

Huge turnout as cavalcade passes through Mandya district

Congress workers waiting for the roadshow to arrive at Mandya on Sunday.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s roadshow from Maddur to Mysore on Sunday witnessed a huge turnout.

However, the 70-km roadshow lasted less than two hours, as he had to rush to Mysore to board a special flight to New Delhi. Thousands of party workers, including youngsters, waited for hours to get a glimpse of Mr. Gandhi.

Delayed

The roadshow was scheduled to start at 3 p.m. from Nidasale in Maddur taluk. However, the roadshow reached Nidasale at 5.10 p.m. Mr. Gandhi was accompanied by KPCC president G. Parameshwara, Mandya MP Ramya and other leaders. Housing Minister and Mandya district in-charge M.H. Ambareesh and others welcomed Mr. Gandhi.

AICC vice-president alighted from the vehicle and shook hands with a few workers.

Later, Mr. Gandhi reached Maddur via Chatralingana Doddi, Kestur and Hemmanahalli villages at 5.40 p.m. The former External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and other leaders welcomed Mr. Gandhi in Maddur. Hundreds of party workers cheered when Mr. Gandhi took the blessings of Mr. Krishna by touching his feet.

Open SUV

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah joined the roadshow in Maddur. It passed the Maddur Inspection Bungalow, Gejjalagere, Hanakere, Hosa Budanur, Hale Budanur, Srinivasapura Gate, B.G. Dasegowda Circle near Mysugar Factory, Sri Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Circle, APMC Gate near Kallahalli, Kiragandur Gate, Induwalu, Thubinakere, Baburayana Koppalu, Srirangapatna and Naguvanahalli before reaching Mysore.

Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Siddaramaiah, travelling in an open vehicle, accepted greetings from a steady stream of party workers who gathered along the Bangalore-Mysore Highway. However, he did not address the gathering during the roadshow. The crowd raised slogans as he passed by.

Police personnel were deployed to prevent party workers from coming too close to the AICC vice-president.

Mandya District Congress Committee president M.S. Atmananda and other leaders welcomed Mr. Gandhi when they entered Mandya at 6.30 p.m.

A huge crowd greeted him, with the slogan, “Rahul Gandhi zindabad, Congress party zindabad…”, when the roadshow entered Sri Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Circle here. They threw rose petals and jasmine garlands at Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Siddaramaiah.

Traffic jam

Meanwhile, motorists had to bear gridlocks as the police had barricaded the highway at several places following the roadshow. Thousands of vehicles were stranded on the highway as the police had blocked traffic.

Mr. Gandhi’s roadshow will help the Congress to get some extra support in elections, Mr. Atmananda told The Hindu .