Rahul to visit Bellary, Mangalore today

All India Congress Committee vice president Rahul Gandhi will address an election rally in Bellary on Friday.

More than one lakh supporters of the Congress candidates from Raichur, Koppal and Chitradurga constituencies are expected to take part in the public meeting to be held at the district stadium in Bellary. Rahul is expected to arrive in the city by 1.30 pm. He is scheduled to leave for Mangalore later.

As many as 700 policemen, five platoons of the district armed reserve and the Karnataka State Reserve Police will be deployed across the city to beef up security, Superintendent of Police Chethan Singh Rathore told Deccan Herald.

KPCC president G Parameshwara told reporters in Bangalore that Rahul will visit Chikodi and Raichur on April 7. He is also scheduled to visit Bangalore in the evening.

“We are looking for a location in the heart of Bangalore where Rahul can address a rally so that it would benefit all the three candidates - Nandan Nilekani (Bangalore South,) Rizwan (Central) and Narayanaswamy (North). We are not sure whether a roadshow can be taken out since he would be hardpressed for time. In all probability, he would address a rally. The event may be held in Bangalore Central,” Parameshwara said.

According to sources, Rahul’s campaign managers have three options in Bangalore Central - roadshow, convention and a bike rally. The security personnel are against roadshow and bike rally. C V Raman Nagar and Shantinagar are being considered for the workers’ convention.

Parameshwara said that AICC president Sonia Gandhi would address rallies in Kolar and Dharwad on April 8. She is likely to arrive in Bangalore on April 7 and stay at Kumara Krupa.

However, last-minute changes in the itinerary can’t be ruled out, he said. BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a rally in Bommanahalli, Bangalore, on April 8.