A resemblance to Pakoda politics appeared in Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra’ in Karnataka. Completely involved in the campaigning process, the Congress Party president loved the uniqueness of his stopover at a roadside eatery in Raichur town. He adopted a different and modest approach this time.
His purpose was precise as he was firmly and passionately presenting a distinct political leader image. He also involved his dedicated party workers with the common people in this unusual way. He had realised that the ensuing assembly elections could be won only by seeking the support of ordinary people.
Though that sudden stop was not in the Gandhi’s planned schedule, he unexpectedly asked the bus driver to stop the vehicle on the roadside. He walked into the stall along with his security personnel, sat on one of its benches and asked for servings of Pakodas and Bhajjis, popular snacks of the semi-arid region.
This being his maiden visit to the state of Karnataka, the Gandhi-scion has undertaken his planned tour to most places for seeking people’s blessings and support ahead of the state assembly elections. He discussed his political points while making sure that the BJP got no opportunity to criticise him for his policies.
Like in Gujarat, he has been following the practice of a temple run in Karnataka too. He looked confident with his party’s win in the by-elections. As the Karnataka assembly polls are set to be held in a rather sweltering April, Rahul Gandhi seems all geared up for the political battle.
He is currently touring Northern Karnataka and wants to cover areas like Raichur, Kalburgi, Bidar, Yadgir falling under the Hyderabad-Karnataka region. He wants to reach out to the masses – specifically poor women and children, also famished farmers, to boost the party’s prospects in the coming polls.
He wants to retain his party’s success in the state again. That is why he does not want to miss any opportunity to interact with the common people. When he learned about how much the owner of the eatery made through his business, he made sure to pay him a certain amount of money for serving him and about 50 party leaders and cadres on the particular occasion.