New Delhi: Gearing up for a tough fight in the coming Assembly polls, the ruling Congress in Karnataka has decided to come out with 35 different manifestoes for each administrative region and districts of the state which will focus on the micro issues facing each area.
While 30 districts of the state will have one separate manifesto each, the four administrative regions will also have their own and one would be for the entire state, a top leader of the state Congress’ manifesto committee told this newspaper. The four-member committee, headed by senior leader Veerappa Moily has already finalised a draft of the manifesto and submitted it to the high command as well as the state unit chief. The document as likely to be released in another 15 days. Sources said that separate manifestoes have been made as the party realises that there are different needs of various regions and areas.
The party is buoyed after its recent performances in bypolls in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and the recent Assembly elections in Gujarat where it performed credibly and the Karnataka manifestoes would also reflect similar issues which were taken up in these states chief among them being agrarian distress, problems faced by marginalised communities, women as well as jobless growth. Karnataka goes to polls on May 12 and counting would be held on May 15. The incumbent Congress has 122 seats in the 224 member Assembly and is fighting a tough battle with BJP as well as the Janata Dal (Secular) and Bahujan Samaj Party alliance in the state.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been campaigning extensively in the state and began his fifth-leg of the campaign from Wednesday. His itinerary includes places covered recently by BJP national president Amit Shah. Mr Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to travel to Shivamogga, Davangere, Chitradurga, Tumakuru and Ramanagar district as part of his two-day campaign in the poll-bound state.
Besides holding a public meeting, he would also call on Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math.
