Mysuru: Former CM Siddaramaiah, arrived in the city for first time after stepping down as Chief Minister, was accorded a grand welcome by Congress Party workers at Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Circle (Highway Circle) yesterday evening. 

Ahead of Siddaramaiah’s arrival, the Congress party flags were erected around the Circle along with party buntings tied throughout the Nelson Mandela Road and Sayyaji Rao Road. He was taken in a procession on an open vehicle.  

Banners with pictures of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, former CM Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad were also seen throughout the procession route.  

Apart from Congress party workers and leaders,a large number of former CM Siddaramaiah’s fans joined in large numbers to welcome their leader.  

Following a large gathering, City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar and other senior Police officers were seen overseeing security arrangements at the spot. People were seen gathering at Circle from 4 pm, while Siddaramaiah arrived at about 6.15 pm. On his arrival, Siddaramaiah greeted the party workers and his fans. While the Police tried their best to control the crowd, they could not as the crowd broke security corridor to welcome former CM Siddaramaiah.  

Prior to the procession, Siddaramaiah was given a traditional welcome. Later, the former CM was taken on a procession on an open vehicle, accompanied by former Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, MLA K. Harishgowda, former MLA M.K. Somashekar, Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman Ayub Khan, KPCC Spokesperson M. Lakshmana, former ZP member Rakesh Papanna and others.  

The procession was accompanied by cultural troupe such as brass band, mangalavadya, puja kunita, dollu kunita, garudi gombe and others with the party workers bursting crackers.  

As the procession entered Sayyaji Rao Road, Siddaramaiah was welcomed with a huge apple garland, with the help of a crane.  

Former MUDA Chairmen H.V. Rajeev and K. Marigowda, District Congress President Dr. B.J. Vijaykumar and City Congress President R. Murthy and others were present.