Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 22: There is information that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be visiting the state during the first week of May this year to undertake active electioneering for the Congress party. Party sources said that she will take part in road show and public meeting in the city and other places in the coast during her visit.

At the same time, campaigning by Congress supremo, Sonia Gandhi, has been ruled out as she was sick and had been discharged from hospital recently. She has been advised rest. However, Dakshina Kannada district Congress president, Harish Kumar, said he has no information about Priyanka's proposed programme in the district.

Congress has planned to utilize the services of Priyanka to boost chances of the party and its veteran leaders in Karnataka, several of whom are pitted against strong opponents, and also in view of changing scenario here and because some of the leaders including the chief minister are fighting to retain their seats. During this visit, Priyanka is expected to tour Karnataka coast, it is said, in an effort to retain one of the important bastions of the party.

Rahul Gandhi will be coming to district to seek votes for minister, B Ramanath Rai, in Bantwal constituency. It is said that the party decided on sending Rahul there as BJP has taken the issue of wresting this seat from the minster as a question of prestige.

Sources say that the party thought of using the services of Priyanka in the state, as chief minister, Siddaramaiah, and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dr G Parameshwar, will have to utilize a big chunk of their time for their own constituencies as the fight is tough there, and also on account of the need for Mallikarjun Kharge to devote time for ensuring victory of his son, Priyank Kharge. The chief minister is also required to help his son, Dr Yathindra, to become victorious from neighbouring Varuna constituency.