Preparations in full swing for Rahul Gandhi's visit on Mar 21

Ahead of AICC President Rahul Gandhi's visit to Chikkamagaluru as part of the third level of Janasheervada rally at the district playground on March 21, Congress leaders inspected the preparations on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters, KPCC Vice President B L Shankar said that Rahul Gandhi will initiate the rally in Mysuru division from March 20. On the first day, he will take part in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.

He will visit Chikkamagaluru and Hassan on March 21.

Rahul will pay a visit to Sharadamba Temple and Dakshenamnaya Peetham, Shringeri on the morning of March 21. He will also inaugurate the block Congress office.

Address to gathering

He will later address the gathering at Chikkamagaluru playground in the afternoon. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC President Dr G Parameshwar, MP and State in-charge for Congress K C Venugopal and other Congress leaders will take part.

The AICC President will later proceed to Belur and then to Hassan where he will be part of the public rally.

He will conduct Chamarajnagar and Mysuru visits on March 24 and 25 respectively.

Responding to a query, B L Shankar said that M P Veerappa Moily and his son Harsha Moily have issued clarifications regarding their tweets. However, healthy discussions are welcome, he added.

Welcome suggestion

He welcomed the suggestion by Talarabalu mutt pontiff Shivamurthy Shivacharya Swami on election campaigning.

The seer has opined that all political parties should conduct the campaign on a single venue and the speeches of all political leaders should be held on the same platform. The voters should not be allured by the leaders. Shankar said that the suggestions by the seer are welcome.

Irrigation proposals

Replying to another question, he said that efforts are being made from many years to provide an irrigation project to the plain regions of Tarikere, Kadur and Chikkamagaluru. There are proposals towards the rejuvenation of Madagada kere and Ayyana kere by utilising Hebbe falls.

Also, an idea of filling the lakes of Kadur taluk with Bhadra river water has also been put forth.

'Feasibility of project'

The government has ordered the submission of a report in this regard.

"We have nothing against rejuvenating Gondi kere provided the feasibility of the project is studied," he said.

Congress leaders K Gopal Bhandary, Gayatri Shantegowda, Dr D L Vijay Kumar, K Muhammed, M C Shivanandaswamy, A N Mahesh, Satish and B M Sandeep were present at the inspection of the preparations.