Christian Associations Demand to Consider Ivan D’Souza as Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha Candidate
Udupi: Christian associations of Udupi district demanded the Congress Party to consider MLC Ivan D’Souza as the candidate for Udupi – Chikkamagaluru constituency for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking at a press meet held at the Press Club on August 1, Dr Neri Cornelio president of IFKCA said, “The Lok Sabha elections are fast approaching. We the various Christian associations have decided to demand the Congress Party to consider Ivan D’Souza who is hailing from Udupi district as the candidate for the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha Constituency”.
“There are about 25 to 30 lakh Christian voters in Karnataka. In last assembly elections, the Congress party had given chance to Christian leaders to contest in the elections. We are now urging the party to give at least 2 seats for Christian leaders to contest in the Parliamentary elections”, said Dr Neri Cornelio.
Dr Neri Cornelio further said, “For the last several years, the Congress party has allowed only a few of the Christian leaders to contest the Lok Sabha elections. Ivan D’Souza has made tremendous development in a short period of his MLC tenure. He is the perfect candidate for Udupi-Chikkamagaluru. If he is elected as MP, he will surely respond to the difficulties of all sections of the society”.
“Ivan D’Souza is a fighter and he fights for the people. After noticing his capacity, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appointed Ivan D’Souza as the member of legislative council. Ivan’s service is really appreciable after being a member of the Legislative Council”, he said.
“Ivan being born in a poor family knows the difficulties of the people, he is a labour leader, ready to help any rickshaw driver. He has sanctioned grants from his MLC fund to construct several rickshaw stands. He has brought highest funds from the government for the development of the Churches. Ivan has not only helped people of the Christian community but also people from all the communities. He helped the people from all sections of the society to get the benefits from the government. He has brought Rs 6.36 crore compensation for the poor people from the Chief Minister’s relief fund”.
“If Ivan D’Souza is elected as MP of Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituency in the next Lok Sabha elections, he will surely become the voice of voiceless in the Parliament. Ivan has worked as a labour leader, being an able leader he is connected to the top leaders of the state and the country. We urge the Udupi district Congress to recommend Ivan D’Souza’s name”.
“On behalf of Ivan D’Souza Christian leaders have decided to meet AICC president Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao and other senior leaders,” he said.
Prashanth Jattanna state president Bharatiya Christa Okkuta, Charles Ambler, general secretary District Minority forum, Steevan Colaco general secretary IFKC, Alwyn Quadros President, Maxim D’Souza Secretary, Valerian Fernandes outgoing president of Catholic Sabha Udupi Diocese, Dion D’Souza president ICYM Udupi Diocese, Janet Barboza president Catholic Women Association Udupi Diocese were present in the press meet.
