Close on the heels of announcing the Lok Sabha candidate, the convention of the beneficiaries of government guarantee schemes turned out to be a show of strength by Congress, in Mandya, on Sunday.

Thousands of people participated in the convention, held at ground near Mandya University.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah praised Mandya as a historical district.

He expressed his gratitude to the people for their support in making the party win six out of seven taluks in the district during the Assembly polls and said he was confident that they would vote for the Congress candidate in the upcoming Lok Sabha poll.

Siddaramaiah pointed out that the party has ‘delivered as promised’ after coming to power in 2023. “We held a meeting in May 2023, after we took charge and decided to implement five guarantees.

Accordingly, the Shakti scheme was implemented in June. Crores of women have benefited from the scheme across the state, including in Mandya district. Anna Bhagya scheme, Gruha Jyothi and Yuva Nidhi schemes too were implemented. It is your responsibility to support Congress for the Lok Sabha election as you did for the Assembly election”, he said.

He also targeted the BJP-JD, S, alliance claiming it as an ‘unholy alliance’. JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy had said that he will not align with the communal party BJP.

H D Deve Gowda had once said that he would like to be a Muslim in his next birth. Now, they have entered into a pact with the communal party. MP Sumalatha, who contested as an Independent last time won because of Congress votes, he pointed out. Now, there is a tug-of-war for the ticket between Sumalatha and JD, to contest from Mandya. Whover, the candidate is, the unholy alliance should not win. The people should vote for the Congress, he appealed.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar spoke about the impact of guarantee schemes and how it has strengthened the hands of the Congress. The BJP has lost its mind and levelled allegations against the Congress that water was being released to Tamil Nadu from the KRS dam.

A group of farmers protesting against the government alleging that water was being released to Tamil Nadu were detained by the police.

Malavalli MLA P M Narendra Swamy explained that the water is being released to tackle the drinking water problem in Bengaluru and not to Tamil Nadu as projected., Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy, MLAs, DC Kumar and dignitaries were present.

Escalating tension in Mandya district over the removal of a saffron flag featuring Hanuman’s image has transformed a local matter into a full-fledged political controversy. The situation, which took a political turn on Sunday, witnessed protests across the district, pitting the ruling Congress against the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular). The BJP also staged a protest in Bengaluru.

The controversy turned contentious when authorities replaced the saffron flag, previously raised to commemorate the consecration of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, with the tricolour atop a 108-ft flagpole in Keragodu village. This move triggered widespread discontent, leading to protests by agitators, including opposition party leaders and workers from the BJP and JD(S).

On Monday, protesters gathered in Keragodu village, demanding the reinstatement of the Hanuman flag and marched 15 km to voice their dissent. To prevent any untoward incident, police and security personnel were deployed, and Section 144 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) was imposed to maintain order.

As the political discourse intensified, the Congress government faced opposition demands to allow the hoisting of the saffron flag once again. Agitators warned of displaying the saffron flag on every household, temple, and commercial establishment in the district. The clash between agitators brandishing Hanuman flags and the police reached a boiling point on Monday, resulting in a brief lathi charge when protesters targeted banners of Congress MLA Ravi Ganiga.

Amid preventative restrictions and heightened security, villagers expressed their displeasure, demanding the lifting of Section 144 and urging action against officials responsible for lowering the flag. Villagers insisted that their voices be heard, emphasizing that the district administration must be held accountable for their actions.

JD(S) chief and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy joined the protest, accusing the Congress government of displaying an ‘anti-Hindu’ attitude. He demanded the lifting of prohibitory orders, the transfer of the Deputy Commissioner, and that villagers be allowed to hoist the Hanuman flag.

BJP leader C T Ravi pledged that if such sentiments persist, the people, including farmers in Mandya, would unite against the Congress in the upcoming polls, aiming to secure victory in all 28 seats. Agitators questioned whether the Congress government, allegedly displaying an anti-Hindu and anti-Hanuman attitude, could survive, drawing historical parallels with Ravana’s fate.

In Bengaluru, BJP workers led by Leader of the Opposition R Ashok staged a protest on Monday against the lowering of the Hanuman flag in Mandya. Despite not receiving police approval, hundreds of party workers were detained after gathering near Mysuru Bank circle. BJP office bearers later met the Bengaluru DC, condemning the act and demanding the rehoisting of the Hanuman flag in Keragodu. They urged the state government to respect Hindu culture. Similar protests were held by BJP workers in various parts of the state.

Mandya: In anticipation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mandya district for the inauguration of the Bengaluru-Mysore National Dashpath Road, the traffic route has been changed. From 7 am onwards, no vehicular traffic will be allowed on the Bengaluru-Mysore National Highway, except for essential services and milk vehicles on the service road until 9 am.

Vehicles coming to participate in the Prime Minister’s program near Gezjalagere Colony in Maddur taluk have been given specific routes to follow. Those moving from the Malavalli direction should go via KM Doddi-Hunnanadoddi, Borapara Gate, and take the road to Kudurgundi Colony to reach the parking lot. Those coming from surrounding villages of Gezjalagere should proceed to the parking space via Kudurugundi village and Sadolalu Kudurugundi Colony from Gezjalagere underpass. Vehicles coming from Mandya side should come from Hanakere service road near Gezjalagere village and proceed to the parking space from Gezjalagere underpass via Kudurugundi village and Sadolalu Kudurugundi Colony.

Moreover, the use of unmanned drone cameras is strictly prohibited in the area, and the district collector, Dr. H.N. Gopalakrishna, has issued an order to that effect. This move is aimed at ensuring the safety and security of the Prime Minister and other dignitaries during the event.

Such measures are not uncommon when high-profile leaders visit an area, as they help to manage the traffic flow and prevent any untoward incidents. The change in traffic routes and the ban on unmanned drone cameras is a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the smooth conduct of the Prime Minister’s visit.

In conclusion, with the change in traffic routes and the prohibition on unmanned drone cameras in the area, the authorities are taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of the Prime Minister and other dignitaries during the inauguration of the Bengaluru-Mysore National Dashpath Road. These measures will also help to manage the traffic flow and prevent any untoward incidents, making the event a success.