Mangaluru: District Congress Committee held a convention of the Party workers and a felicitation programme for MLC Pratapchandra Shetty at Cordel Hall here on January 23.
The programme began with an invocation. MUDA chairman Ibrahim Kodijal welcomed the gathering. The programme was inaugurated by the Member of Rajya Sabha Oscar Fernandes by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais.
District minister in-charge B Ramanath Rai delivered the keynote address. Ramanath Rai said that when there was strong competition in the MLC elections, our party workers took the elections as a challenge. All the party workers, worked hard for the success of our candidate. While BJP fielded only one candidate for the MLC elections, due to some reasons some of our leaders contested independently. BJP has won the elections but with the number of votes we can say that it is a ‘first defeat’ for the BJP.
He further said that Congress is the only secular and strongest party in the country. Our district is very sensitive, communal forces are trying to destroy the peace and harmony in the district. Congress party workers should be united to eliminate communal forces from the district. Yes, we have failed to win the elections in the country but in the state we have won the elections. Now the zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat elections are nearing. We will field able candidates to contest the elections. Our MLAs and MLCs are doing a wonderful job and today we have distributed cheques worth Rs 86 lakh through the Shramashakti scheme. Congress party after coming to power has brought many schemes for the welfare of the poor people as well as for school children. During the congress rule, poor people have received land rights.
The opposition is always blaming that the congress government led by Siddaramaiah did not do anything for the development of the state, they do not know that the Congress government has waived Rs 360 crore loan given to the minorities.
Ramanath Rai said that MP Nalin Kumar Kateel is claiming to be the number one MP but does not know who gave him that title. MP Nalin is claiming that he brought funds for the Shiradi Ghat work, but in reality Oscar Fernandes was responsible for getting funds for the Shiradi ghat project. Under the leadership of Oscar Fernandes funds have also been granted for the second phase of the Shiradi Ghat stretch.
Speaking on yettinahole project Rai said that Nalin Kumar Kateel is fooling the people by fighting to stop the project but in reality he is not opening his mouth with the union minister to stop the project. Why did he not stop the project when BJP was in power. Kateel went to Delhi to stop the project but failed to stop it.
Rai also said that the congress workers should work unitedly to win the forthcoming ZP elections and bring the congress party to power. Winning the ZP election is the only answer to the communal forces in the district, he added.
Oscar Fernandes speaking on the occasion said that all the party workers have worked hard during the MLC elections and we have succeeded, likewise we have to be prepared for the forthcoming ZP and TP elections. All the party workers should take a pledge that they will work with dedication for success in the forthcoming elections.
Congress leaders V R Sudarshan also spoke on the occasion. Ministers Abhaychandra Jain, Vinay Kumar Sorake, U T Khader, Mayor Jacintha Alfred and others were also present.
