Congress leader Rahul Gandhi being initiated into the Lingayat sect by the seer of Muruga Mutt, in Chitradurga. PTI

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah is on cloud nine after seeing the huge response to his 75th birthday bash in Davangere on Wednesday. He is reportedly happy that the right message has been conveyed to the Congress leadership about the clout he commands in the state. The turnout of lakhs of people from all districts for the event has proved beyond doubt that ‘Siddaramaiah is back’.

The huge crowd also proved that the former CM is a hugely charismatic leader of the Congress who has the ability to woo the crowds. Earlier, the Kuruba community leader had proved his popularity in 2006 when he organised an ‘Ahinda meet’ in Hubballi which attracted lakhs of people from every nook and corner of the State, after his expulsion from the Janata Dal (Secular) on charges of indiscipline. This popularity made the Congress induct him to strengthen the party

Till last week, the Davangere event organisers were worried whether people would come for the event because of the venue’s suitability, weather and other factors. But the crowd started swelling from Tuesday itself much to the relief of the organisers. By 11 am, the city of Davangere was filled with people everywhere

After the Mekedaatu padayatra by Shivakumar, the followers of Siddaramaiah wanted to have a big show to show the strength of the former CM and his 75th birthday came in handy for them. The Davangere event has silenced critics of Siddaramaiah who will have to think twice before complaining about him to the high command.

As far as support of communities is concerned, the backward classes have rallied behind him since the days of Ahinda while the credit for drawing the minorities to the Congress Party again goes to Siddaramaiah who took the risk of antagonising the majority Hindu community much against the wishes of his own partymen.