Congress leader Shivakumar hints at early assembly polls in Karnataka
An early election may be announced in Karnataka on November 27 this year, Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar hinted on Tuesday, while adding that his party is ready for the polls whenever the dates are announced.
“Let them announce elections whenever they want…tomorrow, this month, on November 27 or next March. The Congress is ready,” he said while addressing a press conference.
When asked why he named November 27 as a probable date, he said, “Just as you (reporters) have sources of information, so do we.”
Even though polls are slated in the state for April-May 2023, it was being speculated that Karnataka may see elections sooner, around the same time Gujarat votes this year. However, Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai recently dismissed the rumours.
Ahead of the polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is slated to visit the state this week and hold meetings with partymen.
According to Shivakumar, Rahul will reach Bengaluru at 2 pm on March 31 and visit Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru on the occasion of the 115th birth anniversary of Shivakumara Swami. He will later meet Congress leaders from Bengaluru to discuss the BBMP elections.
On April 1, the former Congress president is slated to chair a meeting of all Congress lawmakers, defeated candidates, MPs and office bearers to take stock of the situation. Apart from holding a Zoom call with party workers who are working at the grassroots, he will hold a separate meeting with Youth Congress, Mahila Congress, NSUI and Seva Dal.
Asked if Rahul’s March 31 visit to the mutt is an attempt at soft hindutva, Shivakumar said, “The Gandhi family has a history with mutts and institutions of all other religions. The family visits thousands of mutts. Indira Gandhi visited Sringeri Mutt, Rajiv Gandhi spent an entire week at the Sringeri Mutt doing a home. Even Sonia Gandhi visited the Siddaganga Mutt.”
