District Congress Felicitates Chief Whip Ivan D’Souza

District Congress Felicitates Chief Whip Ivan D’Souza

Mangaluru: The Chief Whip of Karnataka Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza was given a rousing welcome at the District Congress Office here, on July 6.

MUDA Chairman Ibrahim Kodijal welcomed the gathering. Addressing the party workers, Ivan D’Souza said, “I am very happy to be here after taking charge as Chief Whip of Karnataka Legislative Council. In 1986, I started my political career when I was only 21 years old. When I was 27, I contested for the MLA elections from Kaup constituency and lost by just 1021 votes. Since then, I have taken the defeat as a challenge because losing is the first step towards success. I later contested many elections and never gave up. Today, I have become the Chief Whip because of my firm decision in continuing in the Congress party.”

He further said that members need to work towards strengthening the party. “When I had contested for the MLA elections and lost, I never gave up. I used to organize protests once in 2 days too”. He also said, “I was denied the ticket in the last elections but I did not lose faith in the party; I continued my work. If I would have done any work which would have caused damage to the party, I wouldn’t have been the Chief Whip today. When we work for the party, we need to give our 100%. Our blood is Congress. BA Moideen always used to say that his religion was Congress because the Congress party is secular. On the contrary, the BJP divides people in the name of religion; this will not help the BJP party and the country to grow.”

Narrating his experience as an MLC, Ivan said, “I completed two years as an MLC and during this period, I used to sit in the Legislative Council from 10 am in the morning till 10 pm. If anyone from the opposition spoke against my party members, I used to give them an answer immediately. All the ministers agree that I am fit to fight against the BJP. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar recommended my name to the high command and I was appointed as the Chief Whip. Power is not permanent, all should leave their power one day. But when we are in power and there is an opportunity, we need to utilize it to serve society.”

As he spoke further, Ivan become emotional. With tears in the eyes, he said, “When I met Vinay Kumar Sorake after becoming the Chief Whip, Sorake said ‘when you are going to Mangaluru, you will be felicitated by the party workers but please do not forget me’. Sorake has worked for the betterment of the party and I have a special respect for him. Even Abaychandra Jain has worked a lot for the party.”

While concluding, Ivan reiterated the need for all party members to work hand in hand and win in all 8 constituencies of the district in the assembly elections that will be held in 2018. He also assured to help all the party members when they are in problems. He also recalled that the CM’s funds of Rs 3.4 crore has been distributed to cancer patients and the needy and said that their blessings helped him become the Chief Whip. He thanked the ministers, U T Khader, Ramanath Rai, MLAs J R Lobo, Vinay Kumar Sorake, Abhaychandra Jain and Moideen Bava. He also thanked senior leaders Oscar Fernandes and Veerappa Moily for helping him grow in the party. He also said that the opposition leader K V Sharanappa had praised him for the work he had done in two years and said that Ivan was fit for the post.

Mayor Harinath, Dr Kavitha D’Souza, Youth Congress President Mithun Rai, Praveenchandra Alva, Appi, Sabitha Misquith, Akhila Alva, corporators and party workers were present.