Rahul's temple run to continue in Karnataka

After his temple visits in the runup to the Gujarat polls yielded good results, Congress president Rahul Gandhi is slated to continue his temple run in Karnataka ahead of the 2018 elections.

This will signify the party's 'soft Hindutva' agenda to counter the perceived hardline Hindutva of the opposition BJP.

During his Gujarat campaign, Rahul apparently visited 27 temples and the Congress won 18 seats in these constituencies. Of them, the party managed to wrest 10 seats from the BJP. The BJP dubbed it 'soft Hindutva'.

"Visiting places of worship such as temples, mutts, mosques and churches is common during an election and is in accordance with one's beliefs. When Rahul visits Karnataka, he will visit temples," Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president G Parameshwara said. "The timing of Rahul's expected visits and which temples he will visit are yet to be finalised," he added.

The party plans to bring Rahul, who was coronated AICC president last week, for a mega event either in Bengaluru or Chikkamagaluru, Parameshwara said.

Rahul began visiting temples during his Deoria to Delhi Kisan Yatra before the Uttar Pradesh polls.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took to Twitter on Wednesday to slam the BJP over its hardline Hindutva ideology. "Are BJP leaders the only Hindus? Are we not Hindus, too? My name is Siddaramaiah - I'm Sidda (ready in Kannada) and Rama. Has the BJP taken up a contract for Hindutva? We're also Hindus, but we respect all religions. That's our culture and that's true Hindutva," he tweeted.

The first leg of the ruling Congress' poll tour will begin from Mulbagal and KGF Assembly constituencies on Thursday. The campaign will then pan out to Kolar and Malur constituencies (December 22), Chintamani and Sidlaghatta constituencies (December 29), Devanahalli and Nelamangala constituencies (December 30). The campaign will resume at Gubbi and Turuvekere constituencies (January 4), Kunigal and Chikkanayakanahalli (January 5), Pavagad and Tumakuru Rural (January 6).

AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal, veteran leaders Oscar Fernandes, Mallikarjun Kharge, M Veerappa Moily among others will take part in the campaigns, Parameshwara said. "Another campaign will be held in March where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will also participate," he added.