Belagavi: The whirlwind Mumbai-Karnataka election campaign of AICC President Rahul Gandhi will begin at Athani in Belagavi district on February 24 where more than 2 lakh people are expected to take part, according to AICC Secretary Satish Jarkiholi, who said, a massive 24,000 sq ft large shamiyana will be erected at Tangadi Road, Athani to accomodate lakhs of people.

On arriving in Belagavi in a special aircraft from New Delhi, Gandhi will fly to the venue in Athani in a chopper.





Satish Jarkiholi inspected the venue at Athani after announcing Gandhi's Mumbai-Karnataka itinerary and said facilities to provide lunch to lakhs of participants will be made at the same shamiyana with the help of party volunteers. Most top leaders of the party from the state and New Delhi will be attending the rally in Athani which would add pace to the ongoing party campaign in most assembly segments in Mumbai-Karnataka, he said.

Gandhi will arrive in Tikota, Vijayapura district in a bus in the afternoon on February 24 where he will take part in a Women's Convention followed by a road show which will stretch upto Vijayapura city.

The Congress president will then hold a discussion with members of various organisations, the business community and political leaders.

On February 25, he will take part in a party convention at Korti-Kolhar, Vijayapura district and later hold discussions with people at Badadangadi and Mudhol. The Congress president will be halting at Bagalkot and resume the campaign on February 26 by attending a rally at Ramdurg in Belagavi district.

Taking up the road show from Saudatti, the same day, he will be entering Dharwad district.

After having a discussion with leaders and businessmen in Dharwad, Mr Gandhi will proceed to Hubballi where he will address a rally. He will fly back to New Delhi the same day, according to Jarkiholi. Congress leaders accompanying him will include Mallikarjun Kharge, Veerappa Moily, B.K. Hariprasad, Dr G Parameshwar, all MPs from Mumbai-Karnataka and KPCC office bearers.