BANGALORE: With AICC president Sonia Gandhi attending the ‘Guru Vandana’ programme of centenarian seer of the Siddaganga Mutt, Shivakumara Swami, the state Congress may seek to correct two of its aberrations: a return to power and a reconnect with the dominant Lingayat community, from which it had seemingly drifted away. Going by the turnout at the Mutt during the programme, it would not seem outlandish to suggest that the Congress had succeeded in its objective.Consigned to the Opposition benches of the state Legislature since 2006, following the collapse of its coalition government with the JD(S), the Congress had pinned its hopes high on the recently held by-election to Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency, where it emerged victorious.The Congress also made it clear that it is not anti-Lingayat and can accommodate the community’s aspirations. KPCC president G Parameshwar who was instrumental in organising the event ensured that no political leader shared the dais along with Sonia.Sonia later addressed a general body meet of the KPCC, which was held within the mutt premises. She exhorted the party cadre and leaders to shed their differences and work for the success of the party, while adding that infighting will not be tolerated.Sonia dubbed the state government as “anti-people”.She also advised the partymen to convert the disillusionment against it as an advantage, referring to infighting and scandals the ruling BJP is mired in.
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