Udupi: The District Congress paid their respect to former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and former minister Vasanth Salian during a party meeting held at the Congress Bhavan here on August 5.
Addressing the party workers, Vinay Kumar Sorake, Minister for Urban Development and District Minister in-charge, said that Dr Kalam was a great visionary and will remain an inspiration to our nation. “A common man’s president, Dr Kalam has effectively led our country.
Former minister Vasanth Salian has worked for the overall development of the district and Kaup constituency which is commendable.”
“The Congress has witnessed a blow in the Gram Panchayat elections in coastal Karnataka. The factors may be different but we should now concentrate on strengthening the party for the upcoming ZP and TP polls,” he said.
The booth level committees will be set up. Membership drive should be effectively facilitated by the booth level committees. He said that the Congress party will appeal to the voters by highlighting the state government’s schemes which have benefited the people at large.
“People are not satisfied with the BJP-led NDA government in the centre. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promises are restricted to his speeches. The suspension of 25 Congress MPs from the Parliament for raising their voice has destroyed democracy. BJP leader L K Advani has hinted that emergency will hit India. People are closely monitoring the moves of the BJP and will deliver their verdict in the coming polls.”
“The district has witnessed speedy development. The Varahi Irrigation project, which was facing hardships and hurdles since 35 years, has been inaugurated. Roads worth Rs 18 crore are constructed under the ‘Namma Grama, Namma Raste’ project. Fishermen are provided with diesel and kerosene at subsidised rates. During the campaign for ZP and TP polls, party workers should convince the voters by highlighting the developmental works initiated by the state government,” he added.
Udupi MLA Pramod Madhwaraj and Karkala former MLA Gopal Bhandary also spoke on the occasion.
Byndoor MLA Gopal Poojary, Congress leaders Amrith Shenoy, Narsimhamurthy, Sarala Kanchan, Prakash Kodavoor, MA Gafoor, Abdul Azeez, Sunil Bangera, Harish Kini and others were present.