Raichur: With elections to the state Assembly fast approaching, the ruling Congress is hoping to repeat its 2013 performance in Hyderabad Karnataka by reminding the people of the special status granted to it by an amendment to Article 371 of the Constitution by the Manmohan Singh government.
The special status, which has helped the people of the region get reservation in education and employment besides grants for development work, gave the Congress the edge it needed to win the 2013 Assembly polls. Of the 39 Assembly seats in the six districts of the region, it won 24.
The Siddaramaiah government, which is hoping to maintain this winning streak in Hyderabad Karnataka, is doing all it can to remind people of the gains they have made since the amendment was made and has organised a rally in Raichur on Saturday to felicitate AICC general secretary, Rahul Gandhi for the last UPA government’s generosity to the region. Raichur city is filled with posters, banners and hoardings to welcome Mr Gandhi, and over a lakh Congress workers are expected to attend the rally from the six districts , according to Raichur District in-charge Minister, Tanveer Sait.
Meanwhile, Mr Raghavendra Kushtagi of Janandolana Mahamaitri, has accused the Congress government of trying to gain political mileage from the special status granted to Hyderabad Karnataka by felicitating Mr Gandhi for it.
“The special status was conferred on the region following a long struggle waged by social activists, politicians, and pro-Kannada and farmers organisations and not just due to the efforts of Congress party. It’s regrettable that it is trying to take the entire credit for it,” he said.
