Bengaluru: District in-charge minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy has called on Congress workers to remain united and work towards securing victory for the party in the upcoming local body elections.
Addressing a gathering at the Mandya District Congress Committee office on Saturday during the induction of newly appointed district Congress president Kumar Koppa, Chaluvarayaswamy urged party workers to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots and ensure the victory of Congress candidates across the district.
He said the upcoming local body elections would be an opportunity for the party workers to demonstrate their organisational strength. He urged them to coordinate effectively and highlight the state government’s welfare initiatives, including its guarantee schemes, while campaigning.
Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Chaluvarayaswamy said Gandhi’s political approach was not driven solely by the pursuit of office. He claimed that if Gandhi had been interested in becoming Prime Minister, he could have sought the position during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. According to Chaluvarayaswamy, Gandhi had instead placed the interests of the party and the country above holding office.
The minister also highlighted the Congress party’s historical role in India’s freedom movement and its contribution to the country’s development. He credited senior leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, with efforts to strengthen the party organisation in Karnataka.
Chaluvarayaswamy advised Kumar Koppa to take all sections of the party along while assuming charge as district president. He also appealed to outgoing president C.D. Gangadhar to extend his cooperation to the new leadership.
He said strengthening the party organisation should begin immediately, particularly with the next Assembly election in mind. He also said party workers who actively contribute to organisational activities should be given opportunities within the party.
Taking aim at Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Chaluvarayaswamy criticised what he described as “hollow statements” and said the public would respond through the local body elections.
The minister also announced plans to construct a new Congress office in Mandya before the next Assembly election. He said the foundation-laying ceremony would be held soon and that the names of individuals contributing ₹1 lakh towards the construction would be displayed on a plaque at the new office.
Agriculture Minister Narendraswamy, MLAs Dinesh Gooligowda and Ravi Ganiga, DCC Bank president Sachin Chaluvarayaswamy, outgoing district president C.D. Gangadhar and newly appointed district president Kumar Koppa were among those present at the programme.
