Karnataka: CM Siddaramaiah to celebrate his 2 years in office at Sarvodaya Samavesha

BENGALURU/DAVANGERE: About two-and-half years ago, it was in this textile hub that the idea of projecting Siddaramaiah as Chief Ministerial candidate was mooted first at a convention of the Kuruba community, but when he returns here on Saturday for ‘Sarvodaya Samavesha’ to mark two years in office, the makeover as a powerful Congress leader will be complete.

One of the points he had highlighted at that convention was that Kurubas should emerge as the rallying point for other oppressed castes and minorities. It would be interesting to watch the contours of his message or roadmap for the next three years when he addresses the rally here on Saturday.

But with the model code of conduct in place because of forthcoming Gram Panchayat polls, he would be forced to refrain from announcing new programmes but could well outline his thinking on the way forward for the state government.

Party general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Digvijay Singh, party leader in Lok Sabha M Mallikarjun Kharge, KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar and Mr Siddaramaiah’s cabinet colleagues, too, would address the rally with over five lakh people in attendance.

The Chief Minister’s confidant and former minister H..M Revanna, MLC, told Deccan Chronicle that the rally provides an ideal platform for the government to inform people about schemes and projects implemented by the state government during the last two years.

Along with Mr. Revanna, other trusted lieutenants of Mr Siddaramaiah are camping in Davangere to oversee arrangements for the rally, and are certain to use the opportunity to enhance the image of their leader. All of them are certain to send out a loud message to voters ahead of Gram Panchayat polls.