Sonia Gandhi to participate in lone public rally in Hubballi on May 6

BENGALURU: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi will participate in a lone election campaign rally in Hubballi on May 6 where Jagadish Shettar, who switched sides to the Congress, is taking on Mahesh Tenginakai of the BJP from Hubli-Dharwad Central constituency. She will also campaign for party candidate Prasad Abbayya who represents Hubli-Dharwad East constituency.

While Abbayya has won twice, he will be looking for a victory for the third time in the upcoming election. However, Shettar is facing a tough time as the BJP top brass and the RSS are keen on ensuring his defeat. The Congress is hoping to consolidate Lingayat votes in the region with Shettar joining its fold.

The Congress is hopeful of faring better in the Kittur Karnataka region with Shettar’s entry, but he is now the target of the BJP and the Sangh outfits. Sonia Gandhi’s participation in the May 6 public rally is expected to bolster the chances of the Congress candidates. Initially, it was planned that Rahul Gandhi will address the rally, but later on, it was decided that Sonia Gandhi herself will take part.