Cong tries own populist plans to counter BJP

NT Correspondent

Koppal: The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress is trying their hand at alternative strategies to upstage the BJP on populist rhetoric.

One such idea is the CM’s purported plan to earmark funds for the development of Anjanadri Hill in Koppal district as a tourist destination in his 15th Budget, which is to be presented on February 16.

The spot is the supposed birthplace of Hindu deity Hanuman. Former CM Basavaraj Bommai, who regards himself as a Hanuman devotee, had set aside Rs 100 crore for the same project in a Budget but the plan ran into many hurdles, including scarcity of funds.

Siddaramaiah hopes that the plan would prove a counter to the BJP’s “antiHindu” jibes.

Another populist line of attack that the Congress has tried against the saffron party is Kannada nationalism.

The Grand Old Party has repeatedly raked up issues like unfair tax devolution to Karnataka, lack of central funds for infrastructure projects and the Centre not releasing drought relief to the state.

Anjanadri Hill is already a pilgrimage site with a Hanuman shrine being the main attraction. The CM’s plan includes improved roads, additional approach routes and a ropeway to the shrine.

The hill overlooks the Tungabhadra River and on the other side, some 20 kilometres away, is the medieval city of Hampi (Vijayanagara district).

Myths regard the city as the kingdom of vanaras or monkeys mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana.

However, the Anjanadri Hill project is expected to run into many hurdles as it would require approvals from United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority (HWHAMA).

Moreover, the CM is being pushed to earmark funds for 100 Ram temples that come under the Muzrai Department.

Temples under the department had organised “special poojas” on January 22 to mark the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.