The temple visits of Congress president Rahul Gandhi continued in Karnataka on Saturday, 10 February.
The 47-year-old Gandhi scion visited the Huligemma Temple and the Gavi Siddeshwara Mutt in Koppal district located in north Karnataka.
Gandhi performed a circumambulation of the main shrine at Huligemma temple, which is dedicated to Huligemma Devi – a manifestation of Goddess Durga.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi performing Pradakshine at the Huligemma Temple. #JanaAashirwadaYatre #RGInKarnataka pic.twitter.com/M6RlcCvhcs
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 10, 2018
Accompanied by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Gandhi was seen conversing with the monks at the Mutt, where he was received warmly.
The temples were pit stops along Gandhi’s ‘Jana Aashirwada Yatre’ through the election-bound state. This is Gandhi’s first visit to the state after he took over as party chief.
Gandhi, who is on a four-day visit to Karnataka, also addressed a rally in Koppal where he was seen greeting supporters after alighting from a special bus.
Earlier today, he visited Hospet in adjoining Bellary district where he attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his recent Parliament speech in which he accused the Congress of corruption.
Happy to accompany @INCIndia President Shri Rahul Gandhi at the Ballari District Convention, as part of his tour of North Karnataka. The massive crowds & public affection reflect the overwhelming support for our Govt’s programmes & the leadership of @OfficeOfRG. #RGInKarnataka pic.twitter.com/glYx3nfcQf
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) February 10, 2018
“The country doesn’t want to hear about the past, it is concerned about the future. Narendra Modi is the kind of PM who drives the vehicle looking in the rear-view mirror,” Gandhi said addressing a party rally here in Hospet.
Bellary was chosen because it is the Lok Sabha constituency from where his mother and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi defeated BJP leader Sushma Swaraj in 1999 general elections.
Gandhi’s temple visits are seen by many as Congress’ way of consolidating the Hindu votes. During the Gujarat elections, he visited several temples including the historic Somnath Temple prompting the BJP to accuse him of playing a “soft Hindutva” card.
Though it lost, the Congress secured 77 seats – 16 more than the last elections.