Karnataka Election: Rahul Gandhi Visits Sangamanatha Temple Amid Congress Party's Lingayat Outreach

Former MP Rahul Gandhi visited Sangamanatha Temple on Sunday in the poll-bound Karnataka as the Congress looks to woo the Lingayat community.

Visual of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi offering prayers inside the Sangamanatha Temple

Source : Twitter/@IYC

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday visited Sangamanatha Temple during his two-day visit to the poll-bound state and offered prayers at Kudalasangama in Karnataka's Bagalkote on the occasion of 'Basava Jayanti'.

#WATCH | Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visits Sangamanatha Temple and offers prayers at Kudalasangama in Bagalkote, Karnataka. pic.twitter.com/DAz3UcreG1

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2023

In the short clip, the Congress leader and the former MP was seen walking toward the temple along with his security guards who were accompanying him. A few police officials were also seen accompanying Gandhi inside the premises.

Rahul Gandhi also met former CM and Congress candidate from Hubli-Dharwad-Central, Jagadish Shettar. Talking about the meeting, Shetter said: "First meeting with Rahul Gandhi and we discussed so many issues..."

"I came to join Congress because everyone knows the ill-treatment given by BJP. So, I have shifted to another national party. Rahul Gandhi is the leader of that party. So, I discussed so many things," he said when asked that he was a strong critic of Rahul Gandhi as a BJP leader, news agency ANI reported.

Significance Of Sangamantha Temple For Gandhi's Visit

Kudala Sangama, situated at the confluence of the rivers Krishna and Malaprabha in the Bagalakote district, is a pilgrim centre. The sacred Samadhi of Basaveshwara, also known as Basavanna, the founder of the Lingayat sect, is located here, along with a Linga that is thought to have been self-born (Swayambhu). The Chalukyan-style Sangameshwara temple in Kudala Sangama is renowned for having been the place where Basavanna is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva.

Gandhi's visit is viewed as an effort by the Congress to increase its Lingayat outreach before the State Assembly Polls which are scheduled for May 10. Lingayats are a dominant community constituting about 17 per cent of the state’s population, largely seen as ruling BJP’s vote bank, reported the local media organisation Udayavani.

Gandhi's Schedule For The Day

As per the schedule shared by the Congress leader, he would subsequently partake in the Basava Jayanti celebration hosted by the Utsava Samithi (festival committee) at Basava Mantapa and eat prasada (lunch) at Kudala Sangama dasoha bhavan, per the itinerary he shared with the media.

After that, he will travel to Vijayapura, where he will be conducting a roadshow in the evening. At Shivaji/Kanakadasa Circle, he is anticipated to address the citizens.

Gandhi will visit Ramdurg in Belagavi on Monday to speak with sugarcane farmers, participate in a Yuva Samvaad in Gadag, and then address a public meeting in Hangal before departing for Delhi.