Kalaburagi: The 'opening batsman' of undivided Janata Parivar will play the first shot for the Congress on Wednesday in Basavakalyan, where 12th century reformer Basavanna launched social and literary movements, and a much-revered town for Lingayats, as the ruling party gears up for another innings, post the 2018 Assembly polls.
For a month beginning Wednesday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, will unveil a slew of projects across the state, commencing with ones which will transform the historical town of Basavakalyan into an international tourist destination. Among them is "Anubhav Mantap", estimated to cost about Rs 600 crores, named after the spiritual democracy centre or the "First Parliament of the World" where Basavanna's guru, Saint Allamprabhu, offered practical solutions to all kinds of problems faced by people at that time. Besides, he will inaugurate a 'Dasoha Bhavan,' museum, library and an auditorium built at a cost of Rs 20 crore by Basavakalyana Development Board. The CM will also throw open renovated memorials associated with the lives of Shivasharanas.
Mr Siddaramaiah's camp followers said their leader picked Basavakalyan to commence his tour to secure the support of numerically significant Lingayats who constitute a solid vote bank of the BJP. The venue also assumes significance in the light of an agitation led by some of his cabinet colleagues like water resources minister M B Patil, for separate religion tag for Lingayats.
He has also attempted to win over Lingayats by eulogizing the late chief minister S Nijalingappa and making known intentions of the government to recommend his name for the coveted Bharat Ratna award.
At the next stop, Humnabad town, Mr Siddaramiah will unveil the statue of former minister Basavaraj Patil Humnabad and the foundation stone for various development schemes amounting to Rs 350 crore. Among these projects include renovation of Mullamari lift irrigation canal, and a drinking water project for Humnabad town.
