Daijiworld Media Network - Hassan (SP)
Hassan, Mar 22: Launching direct attack on JD(S) for the first time in his current tour, All India Congress Committee (AICC) president, Rahul Gandhi, said that in Karnataka, JD(S) has been behaving like BJP's 'B' team, accusing it of helping BJP in its aim at forming the next government.
The sudden change in the strategy of Rahul Gandhi, who has all along been singling out BJP and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, for his barbs, surprised many by hitting out at JD(S). Particularly so as the criticism came in the home turf of JD(S) supremo, H D Deve Gowda.
Rahul,speaking after inaugurating the 'Janashirvada Yatra' at the stadium in the town on Wednesday evening, accused JD(S) of supporting BJP's plan of coming back to power. "JD(S) is indulging in back-door politics, and thinks that people do not realize about its plans. Let 'A" team of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, 'B' team led by JD(S), along with whatever other left out teams work together to defeat us. It is a foregone conclusion that BJP will not rise to power here. Congress is the only party that will rule Karnataka," he announced.
The AICC president said that people of Karnataka always have extended their hands of support whenever their support was badly needed either by Indra Gandhi or Congress party. "When Indira Gandhi lost power on account of aggression by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, people of Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituency elected her. We can never forget this gesture of the people here. I am always ever prepared to extend a helping hand whenever the citizens of Karnataka seek it," he stated.
He also said that he is feeling a sense of fulfillment at visiting Sri Sharada Peetham at Sringeri and getting blessed by the head of the Math. He had visited the Peetham earlier in the day, paid obeisance to Goddess Sharadamba, offered special puja, and sought blessings from spiritual head of the Peetham, Sri Bharatiteertha Swamiji.
Rahu arrived at Sringeri from Mangaluru at 11.30 am accompanied by party's parliamentary leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, chief minister, Siddaramaiah, MP, Veerappa Moily, party's Karnataka state in-charge, K C Venupal, and state Congress president, Dr G Parameshwar. On his arrival, administrative officer of the temple, V R Gaurishankar, offered the customary 'Poornakumbha' reception. Rahul then visited Sharadamba temple and offered puja before visiting Torana Ganapati shrine. He also went to the bank of river Tunga and offered parched rice to the fish there, a practice followed by devotees visiting the holy temple. He then visited the residence of Sri Bharatiteertha Swamiji, spent around 20 minutes in his company, and invoked his blessings. He also interacted with students of Sri Sadvidya Sanskrit school being run by the Math.