Haveri/Belgaum: The Karnataka Government has decided to invite former US President Barack Obama for the Joint Assembly session commemorating the 100th year of the Belagavi Congress Session. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday that he has sent a formal invitation to the former US President.
After a campaign meeting in Bankapur for the Congress candidate in the Shiggaon Bypoll, he said it has been 100 years since the Belagavi Congress session in 1924, chaired by Mahatma Gandhi.
Responding to the development in Belgaum on Tuesday, the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs said that a date has been requested to be given between December 26-27 or January 2025 and October 2025.
“It has been decided to organise a joint Assembly session to mark the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s chairing of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting. The event will be held at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi,” he added.
Minister Patil also serves as the president of the committee for commemorating the centenary of the 1924 Congress session. “We will wait for confirmation from Barack Obama before setting the date for the joint session. We have invited this prominent leader and follower of Gandhi, who believes that Mahatma Gandhi is a global leader, not just an Indian one,” said Minister Patil.
“This is going to be a meaningful programme. Mahatma Gandhi visited 120 places across Karnataka, and we will build memorials at 40 selected locations. ‘Rath Yatra Jyothis’ will arrive in Belagavi on December 26 and 27 from various districts across the state,” he said. The minister added that the government will provide Rs. 25 crore for the session centenary celebration, and if necessary, additional funds will also be provided.
The government also plans to organise conventions focussed on youth, women, and community unity. The centenary celebrations will continue until October 2 of next year. The 39th session of the Indian National Congress held at Belagavi was the only Congress session presided over by Gandhi.
