Karnataka: Don't blame Congress for partymen's excesses, says Dr G Parameshwara

Bengaluru: Two days ahead of Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s second leg of poll-eve campaign in Karnataka, leaders of the state unit highlighted how swift action was taken against those within the party involved in hooliganism and criminal activities in order to prevent bad press during the leader’s three day visit.

State unit president Dr G. Parameshwara told the media here on Thursday that the party and the government had taken prompt action in all cases in which his partymen were involved, and therefore the party should not be held responsible or accused of being culpable to these acts. “The moment we came to know, we suspended them. We won't hesitate to show our zero tolerance to such action in future as well,” he added.

Mr Gandhi will commence the second leg of his campaign in Bombay-Karnataka with a rally at Athani on Saturday. Just as he addressed rallies and road shows during his first visit earlier this month, Mr Gandhi will also hold an interactions with women self help groups, industry groups, and farmers. During the three-day visit, Mr Gandhi will tour Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot and Hubballi Dharwad districts. Dr Parameshwar, CM Siddaramaiah and the other senior leaders would accompany him during this visit.