Daijiworld Media Network - Tumakuru (SP)

Tumakuru, Apr 5: All India Congress Committee president, Rahul Gandhi, went to the headquarters of Siddaganga Math here and sought blessings from senior Swamiji of the Math, Sri Shivakumara Swmaiji on Wednesday April 4.

Rahul was accompanied by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dr G Parameshwar, chief minister, Siddaramaiah, leader of Congress parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, ministers, D K Shivakumar and T B Jayachandra, apart from legislator, Rafiq Ahmed and MP, S P Muddahanume Gowda, during the visit.

In view of the fact that the Swamiji celebrated his 111th birthday on April 1 this year, Rahul presented to him a bouquet having 100 red roses and 11 white roses. The Swamiji also asked Rahul to have Prasadam before leaving.

Rahul met junior Swamiji of the Math, Siddalinga Swami. Siddalinga Swami recalled that Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi had visited the Math in the past.

Although Rahul did not have a plan to have food at the Math, he had lunch there.

People on a visit to the Math on Wednesday felt lot of inconvenience as police stopped them from visiting the Swamiji. The entry to Math was closed during Rahul's visit and it was reopened at 4.30 pm. As police stopped vehicles from entering several roads leading to the Math, the city wore deserted look.

Rahul Gandhi participated in a road show at Tumakuru, Kunigal, and Hebbur, which were well-attended. During his addresses,he criticized Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and branded JD(S) as B team of BJP. In some villages, there was lackadaisical response from people and hence Rahul decided to move ahead without delivering any addresses there.