Mysuru: Abhimatha Mysuru had organised a programme titled ‘Sarthaka Sadhaka Siddharamaiah – 70’ at Rani Bahadur auditorium in Manasagangothri here on Friday to commemorate the 70th birthday of Chief Minister Siddharamaiah.

Inaugurating the programme, former Rajya Sabha Member and Economist Bhalchandra Mungekar sought a good socio-economic  development to establish equality and social justice.

He pointed out that 54 percent of nation’s wealth was with one percent of the population which was a threat to secularism. He commended Siddharamaiah-led State Government as the best to adopt social justice and pro-poor policies.

Presiding over the programme, District Congress President Dr. B.J. Vijayakumar recalled that Abhimatha organisation was formed when he and others were pursuing Ph.D in Manasagangothri.

A documentary ‘Seeda Saada Siddharamanna’ was screened earlier to focus on the CM’s life story.

An exhibition of photos of Siddharamaiah with other leaders like Ramakrishna Hedge, J.H. Patel, M.P. Prakash and others was also arranged on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, CM’s Media Advisor Dinesh Amin Mattu opined that Siddharamaiah was a role model for the young politicians as the former’s honesty and humility are worth emulating.

Addressing the gathering, former Chairman of Legislative Council B.L. Shankar opined that Congress has to strengthen the internal democratic set-up in the party.

City Congress President R. Murthy, MLA Kalale Keshavamurthy, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Dr. Y.D. Rajanna and others were present.