Bengaluru (PTI): The BJP in Karnataka on Tuesday slammed the ruling Congress for organising ‘Sadhana Samavesha’ event to celebrate the party’s two years in office, in Vijayanagara district even as Bengaluru was reeling under severe flooding caused by relentless rains since Sunday night.

Senior Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge attended the event in Hospet, the district headquarter town of Vijayanagara.

Addressing reporters, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka said, “There is a flood situation in Bengaluru and elsewhere in Karnataka. We are seeing Bengaluru being submerged in rains. People are suffering. But the ruling Congress leaders, instead of handling the situation, have gone to Ballari to celebrate their two years in the government.”

Ashoka headed a team of BJP leaders that visited the rain-affected areas in the city.

Several areas in the city were inundated forcing the residents to flee their homes for safety. At least five people lost their lives in the state, including three in Bengaluru due to rains.

The LoP alleged that the Congress is celebrating its achievements following the death of the five people, for which it should be ashamed.

“I want to tell the Congress leaders that if they have any shame then they should immediately cancel their programme,” the BJP leader said.

He blamed the Congress government for the flood, saying it cancelled development works worth Rs 1,600 crore, which were approved by the previous BJP government.

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Raebareli (UP) (PTI): Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Raebareli Rahul Gandhi will arrive here on May 19 on a two-day visit, a Congress office-bearer said on Monday.

Congress district president of Raebareli Pankaj Tiwari said that on the first day, Gandhi will inaugurate a marriage hall at Thakurain Kheda in Bachhrawan. Subsequently, he will address a public meeting in Khiron. In Lalganj, he will participate in a 'mahila samvaad' programme.

He further said that on May 20, he will meet the public during a 'Janata Darshan' programme at the Bhuyemau Guest House. Following this, he will participate in the unveiling of a statue of Veera Pasi and attend a public meeting in Lodhwari.

He will then depart for Amethi.

In Amethi, Gandhi will hold meetings with party functionaries, workers and senior leaders at the party's district headquarters, Congress district unit chief Pradeep Singhal said on Sunday.

According to political observers, this meeting would form a part of the strategic preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, alongside an organisational review.

Discussions during the meeting are likely to focus on strengthening the party organisation down to the booth level, increasing participation of youth and women workers, and accelerating public outreach campaigns across villages.

According to sources, a large number of party workers -- from Gram Sabha to the district level -- have been invited to attend the meeting.

Gandhi is expected to interact directly with workers.

During the one-day visit, the Congress leader will also travel to Poore Ramdeen Pandit -- the native village of late Congress district president Yogendra Mishra -- to meet his family members.

Mishra, considered a close associate of the Gandhi family, passed away on March 1 following a prolonged illness.

Political activities in the district have intensified ahead of Gandhi's visit, and party workers have already started making arrangements for his reception.

Kishori Lal Sharma, the Congress MP from Amethi, is also holding regular meetings with local leaders and functionaries to review the preparations.