<p>Terming the upcoming Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat polls as an important phase to strengthen the party’s roots in the district, Congress Party Observer R V Devaraju asked party workers to brace themselves for a battle for votes against Janata Dal (Secular).<br /><br />Addressing party workers at a preliminary meeting here on Sunday, he said that the party need to take BJP seriously as it did not have have a strong base in the district.<br /><br />Based on the suggestions given by AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, 50 per cent of the seats would be reserved for the youths in the coming TP/ZP polls.<br /><br />Former MLC D Madegowda said that the party would project the development work carried out by the UPA government at the Centre to woo voters. Former Minister M S Atmananda, Congress District Unit President K B Chandrashekar, former MLA Mallajamma, leader Ramalingaiah, former ZP President Gurucharan, former ZP member C D Gangadhar and others were present.</p>
<p>Terming the upcoming Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat polls as an important phase to strengthen the party’s roots in the district, Congress Party Observer R V Devaraju asked party workers to brace themselves for a battle for votes against Janata Dal (Secular).<br /><br />Addressing party workers at a preliminary meeting here on Sunday, he said that the party need to take BJP seriously as it did not have have a strong base in the district.<br /><br />Based on the suggestions given by AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, 50 per cent of the seats would be reserved for the youths in the coming TP/ZP polls.<br /><br />Former MLC D Madegowda said that the party would project the development work carried out by the UPA government at the Centre to woo voters. Former Minister M S Atmananda, Congress District Unit President K B Chandrashekar, former MLA Mallajamma, leader Ramalingaiah, former ZP President Gurucharan, former ZP member C D Gangadhar and others were present.</p>
