Rahul Gandhi visits late actor Puneeth Rajkumar's family in Karnataka

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the residence of late actor Puneeth Rajkumar here and paid tribute to the late Kannada superstar. The MP, who is on a two-day visit to the state was accompanied by the Congress state unit President DK Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah.

Bengaluru: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday visited the residence of late actor Puneeth Rajkumar here and paid tribute to the late Kannada superstar. The MP, who is on a two-day visit to the state was accompanied by the Congress state unit President DK Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah.

"I paid my condolences to Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar and other family members of famous Kannada actor late Puneeth Rajkumar after visiting their home. Puneeth left unforgettable memories for all Kannadigas at a young age," Rahul Gandhi tweeted in Kannada after his visit. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, the party's Campaign Committee chairman M B Patil, and former union minister KH Muniyappa also accompanied Rahul Gandhi.

Puneeth Rajkumar, known had passed away on October 29 last year at the age of 46 following a cardiac arrest. He was admitted to Vikram Hospital in Bengaluru, after experiencing chest pain, where he breathed his last. Son of matinee idol Rajkumar, Puneeth was fondly called 'Appu' by his fans.

The Congress leader had earlier taken part in the 115th birth anniversary event of the late Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivakumar Swamiji. Speaking to the media on Thursday, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had said that Gandhi will be meeting senior leaders, frontal organisation members, and party executive committee and will be looking to strengthen the party for the upcoming polls. He will also visit the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office. The Congress leader is scheduled to today visit the KPCC office and attend the executive meeting with the frontals.

Rahul Gandhi's visit comes at a time when the state is debating issues like the Hijab ban, restrictions on non-Hindu traders conducting business inside temple premises and the Halal meat row.

ANI