Mysuru: Karnataka Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rizwan Arshad received a grand welcome from Congress workers and supporters during his maiden visit to Mysuru after being sworn in as a Minister in Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s Cabinet.

Rizwan Arshad, a native of Mysuru, arrived in the city from Bengaluru on Tuesday morning. Supporters, many of them Congress workers from the minority wing of the Narasimharaja (NR) Assembly Constituency, gathered near Bade Makaan junction at Siddique Nagar in Bannimantap to welcome him.

The minister was greeted with drums, flower petals, fruit garlands and slogans as supporters accompanied him in a procession towards the City Congress office on JLB Road.

Supporters greet Rizwan with garlands

As Rizwan arrived at Bade Makaan junction, party workers gathered in large numbers and extended a warm welcome. Native drums were played as supporters celebrated his appointment to the State Cabinet.

As his SUV proceeded towards Tipu Circle, supporters offered him garlands made of apples and mosambis. Flower petals were also showered on the vehicle from both sides of the road, according to Star of Mysore.

At Jilani Petrol Bunk Circle, also known as Dr. Rajkumar Circle, Rizwan was felicitated with a large garland made of roses.

The minister reciprocated the greetings by waving at supporters and shaking hands with those gathered along the route. He also stood through the sunroof of his SUV as the procession moved through different parts of the city.

Procession passes through key areas

The procession proceeded towards the City Congress office near the Railway Station on JLB Road.

Supporters accompanied Rizwan through St. Philomena’s Church, Meena Bazaar and Sawday Road. The celebrations included bursting of firecrackers and the raising of party slogans.

Congress workers also carried party flags during the procession. At one point, jubilant supporters carried Rizwan on their shoulders for a short distance.

The enthusiastic reception reflected the significance of Rizwan’s elevation to the State Cabinet, particularly among his supporters in Mysuru and the NR Assembly Constituency.

Rizwan is a native of Mysuru and his first visit to the city after assuming ministerial responsibility drew considerable attention among local Congress workers.

Security arrangements made

The police made security arrangements around the minister’s vehicle during the procession.

Personnel from the Police Commando Unit were deployed around Rizwan’s SUV and a rope barricade was formed to keep the crowd away from the vehicle. ACP of the NR Sub-Division K.T. Mathews Thomas supervised the security arrangements.

The measures were taken as a large number of supporters gathered along the procession route to greet the newly appointed minister.

Rizwan meets Tanveer Sait

Earlier, after arriving in Mysuru, Rizwan Arshad drove to the residence of NR MLA Tanveer Sait in Udayagiri.

Rizwan met Sait and held discussions with him for some time. Sait had also been considered among the aspirants for a ministerial position, according to the report.

The details of their meeting were not disclosed.

Several Congress leaders and local political figures were present during Rizwan’s welcome programme. Those named in the report included Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman Ayub Khan, former Mayor Arif Hussain, former Corporators Syed Hasarathulla and Suhail Baig, former Chairman of the Mysuru District Waqf Advisory Committee Ghayaz Ahmed Akram, Congress leaders Showkath Ali Khan, Syed Farooq and Akram Pasha, and Tahaffuz Khabarasthan Committee President Fayaz Pasha.

Secretary Mahmood Ali Khan Khurrath and member Shabnam Shaheed were also among those present.

First Mysuru visit after joining Cabinet

Rizwan Arshad’s visit was significant as it marked his first visit to Mysuru after he was sworn in as a Minister in the Karnataka Cabinet headed by D.K. Shivakumar.

As Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Rizwan will be responsible for a key portfolio dealing with food supplies and consumer-related matters in the State.

His grand reception in Mysuru brought together a large group of Congress supporters, particularly workers associated with the minority wing of the NR Assembly Constituency.

The procession eventually proceeded towards the City Congress office, marking Rizwan’s return to his hometown in his new role as a member of the Karnataka Cabinet.