Congress leader Rahul Gandhi begins his Karnataka visit by paying homage to Basaveshwara on his birth anniversary. Seen as an attempt to strengthen the Lingayat outreach ahead of the state's Assembly polls, Gandhi will participate in Basava Jayanti celebrations and interact with sugarcane farmers during his two-day tour.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will begin his two-day visit to poll-bound Karnataka on Sunday by offering obeisance to 12th-century poet and social reformer Basaveshwara at his resting place in Kudala Sangama, on the occasion of his birth anniversary which is observed as "Basava Jayanti". On his arrival in Hubballi from Delhi, the former AICC President will travel to Kudala Sangama by helicopter for the darshan at Sangamanatha temple and of the Aikya Linga.
Kudala Sangama, situated at the confluence of the rivers Krishna and Malaprabha in Bagalakote district, is a pilgrim centre. The Aikya Mantapa or the holy Samadhi of Basaveshwara, popularly known as Basavanna, the founder of the Lingayat sect, along with a Linga, which is believed to be self-born (Swayambhu), is here. Kudala Sangama is also famed for its Chalukyan-style Sangameshwara temple where it is believed that Basavanna had worshipped lord Shiva.
According to his tour plan, shared with the media, Gandhi will then participate in the Basava Jayanti celebration organised by Utsava Samithi (festival committee) at Basava Mantapa, and take prasada (lunch) at Kudala Sangama dasoha bhavan. This visit of Gandhi is seen as an attempt by the Congress to bolster the Lingayat outreach, ahead of the May 10 Assembly polls in the state. Lingayats are a dominant community constituting about 17 per cent of the state's population, largely seen as ruling BJP's vote-bank.
He will then leave for Vijayapura where in the evening he will hold a roadshow. He is expected to address the public at Shivaji Circle/Kanakadasa Circle there. On Monday, Gandhi will be in Belagavi's Ramdurg where he will interact with sugarcane farmers, later take part in Yuva Samvaad in Gadag and address Public Meeting at Hangal, before leaving for Delhi.