Despite rain, JD(S) rally draws a huge crowd in Hassan

Despite a downpour, the Janata Dal (Secular) rally attracted a huge crowd at the district stadium in Hassan on Monday. All-India Congress Committee president Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally at the same venue on March 21.

The JD(S) rally was scheduled for 4 p.m. However, the programme started around 6 p.m. as it rained heavily for about an hour. Participants could not occupy the chairs because of the rain. They took shelter under trees and buildings nearby, taking their seats only after the sky cleared.

As the party’s State president H.D. Kumaraswamy reached Dairy Circle to take part in the rally, hundreds of party workers welcomed him. He was taken on a roadshow to the district stadium, where hundreds of people had gathered from different places of the district.

Mr. Kumaraswamy waved at the people gathered along the route, while the workers raised slogans in his praise. He was accompanied by his brother H.D. Revanna, the Holenarsipur MLA.

Rising star

Senior leader P.G.R. Sindhia, in his speech, said he was impressed by the turnout at the rally. “I have been in politics since 1972, but never saw such a huge crowd,” he said. He called Prajwal Revanna, son of Mr. Revanna, a rising star, and his words were received by the crowd with whistles.

Former Minister H. Vishwanath said while leaders of the BJP and the Congress were busy trading charges against each other, Mr. Kumaraswamy alone was addressing farmers’ issues. “Siddaramaiah is busy levelling charges against Yeddyurappa, while Yeddyurappa is busy making allegations against Siddaramaiah. But Kumaraswamy is going around the State assuring farmers of loan waiver. People should support him.”

Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda thanked the public for attending the rally in large numbers. “I am grateful to you for participating in the rally despite heavy rains. You people have supported me all these years. I will continue to fight for your welfare,” he said.

Gowda’s appeal

Mr. Gowda appealed to the people of Hassan to give a “fitting reply” to All-India Congress Committee president Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah by ensuring JD(S) victory in all seven Assembly seats in the district.

“Rahul Gandhi and Siddaramaiah, during their visit to Hassan, called upon the public to defeat my party in the district. I hope you people will give them a fitting reply by voting for the JD(S) in all seven constituencies,” he said.

Taking exception to Mr. Gandhi’s accusation that the JD(S) was the B-team of the BJP, Mr. Gowda said he has always worked for the welfare of minorities. “I wish people of my native place Hassan create history by supporting us in the elections so that a regional party emerges as the A-party,” he said, adding that Mr. Siddaramaiah had grown in politics because of the JD(S).

Mr. Gowda said he himself has never meted out injustice to any community. “We brought a medical college to the district. We have got engineering college and much more. Since 2007, we have been trying to get an IIT for the district. I am confident that we will be successful in our efforts in a year,” he said.