It’s raining people-connect programmes by political parties in Karnataka. After the Opposition BJP launched the Vistarak programme, the Congress has decided to launch “Mane-Manege Congress” (Congress for every home) to strengthen the party at the grassroots level in the run-up to the 2018 Assembly elections.
A mega function will be organised in September to launch the Mane-Manege Congress campaign, which aims at informing households about the benefits they have received under various welfare schemes – Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Pashu Bhagya, Arogya Bhagya, Krishi Bhagya, Vasathi Bhagya, Vidya Siri, midday meal, scholarships, and a large number of rural and urban development programmes.
The campaign aims at gradually transforming the Congress from being a mass-based party to a cadre-based one with active participation of booth-level agents.
Slew of programmes
In the run-up to the 2013 polls, the Congress had launched many programmes – Congress Nadige Janara Balige, Congress Nadige Krishneya Kadege, Congressge Banni Badalavane Thanni – to highlight what they called bad governance of the previous BJP regime.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president G. Parameshwara said the Congress has decided to appoint 66,000 booth-level agents covering all 224 Assembly constituencies in order to spread the party’s message and inform people of the achievements of the Siddaramaiah and UPA governments. The agents will not only educate people on the achievements of the government in the State, but also give feedback to the party on what people think about their elected representatives.
A booth-level agents’ conference too has been organised next month and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will address it next month, he said. Dr Parameshwara, who completed six years and 10 months as KPCC chief, said the agents would visit every household and interact with people. Each booth level team has 15 to 20 members.
Dr. Parameshwara will visit Dharwad, Hubballi, and Gadag on Monday and Haveri on Tuesday to address members of booth-level committees.
BSY to host lunch for Dalits tomorrow
State BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa will host lunch for Dalits at his residence in Dollars Colony in Bengaluru on Monday. The decision is considered a gesture of thanksgiving for the hospitality extended to him by the Dalits during his Statewide tour recently.
KPCC president G. Parameshwara mocked Mr. Yeddyurappa asking if he considers it a “major achievement” to invite Dalits to his home. Dr. Parameshwara, a Dalit himself, said this “may mean a change for Mr. Yeddyurappa, but not for us”.