Mysore/Mysuru: Congress and BJP celebrated the birth anniversary of the late former Chief Minister D. Devaraj (D.D.) Urs at their respective party offices in the city yesterday.

At Congress Office

Congress celebrated the birth anniversaries of former Chief Minister D.D. Urs and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at a programme organised at Congress Bhavan near the City Railway Station here, by offering floral tributes to the portraits of the two leaders.

Speaking on the occasion, former MLA M.K. Somashekar said that the birth anniversary of the two great leaders is being celebrated in a simple manner due to COVID-19 pandemic. 

Pointing out that the two leaders had a great vision for development of the country, he said Rajiv Gandhi made a great contribution for spurring the growth of technology.

He recalled the role of Rajiv Gandhi in Bengaluru becoming a global software and technology hub. Likewise, Devaraj Urs is credited for introducing revolutionary legislations such as Land Reforms Act and Bonded Labour System Abolition Act, he maintained. He noted that Urs transformed the State into a Model State through his innovative and revolutionary schemes and programmes for the welfare of the poor and other oppressed and marginalised sections of the society.

District Congress President Dr. B.J. Vijaykumar, City President R. Murthy, Spokesperson M. Lakshmana, leaders H.A. Venkatesh, K. Harish Gowda and others were present.

At BJP Office

BJP celebrated the birth anniversary of D.D. Urs by offering floral tribute to the portrait of the former CM at the party office in Chamarajapuram here.

Speaking on the occasion, City BJP President T.S. Srivatsa said that current political leaders should learn about the commitment that Urs had for giving a good administration. He further said that Urs changed the political scenario of the State by bringing in revolutionary social and agricultural reforms.

D. Devaraj Urs Backward Cla-sses Development Corporation Chairman R. Raghu Kautilya, in his address, said that Urs strived for building an equal society.  Contending that Urs became  a victim of false propaganda, where he was accused of corruption and nepotism, he said that Urs lent a voice to voiceless sections of the society.

Recalling the efforts of previous Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa in implementing various schemes for the poor, he said that both Devaraj Urs and Yediyurappa were sympathetic to the plight of backward sections of the society.

Blaming the Congress for the downfall of Urs and ill-treating him in his last days, Raghu declared that the CM will soon announce the scheme for  distribution of 1,000 sewing machines and 500 computers to each of the 30 districts of the State.

BJP State Spokesperson M. G. Mahesh and BJP OBC Morcha City President Jogi Manju too spoke on the occasion.