Mangaluru: MUDA Chairman, Ibrahim Kodijal held a press meet at the district Congress Office here, on April 12.
Addressing the mediapersons, Kodijal said, “Ambedkar Jayanti will be celebrated in the State and as per the directions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, it will be celebrated at every Zilla Panchayat on April 14.”
“The Hindu community was looking down upon Dalits and this attitude was against the beliefs of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Ambedkar. That is why the Indian constitution was designed to give equal rights to every citizen and caste system was discouraged. But the situation now has changed and we are witnessing several issues of intolerance which the Congress party condemns,” Kodijal said.
He further said that Gandhiji had dreamt of a ‘Ramrajya’ where even Dalits were given the opportunity to lead. Kodijal said, “We must not forget that it was former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who gave the nation, the Panchayat Raj and it is here that people from the Dalit community have taken part in leadership roles.”
Speaking about the appointment of Yeddyurappa as the BJP state President, Kodijal said, “This is an internal matter of the BJP, but I would like to remind them that Yeddyurappa was the most corrupt Chief Minister the nation had ever had. He has also served time in jail. Siddaramaiah is the best Chief Minister, who does not have any black dot. It has been 2.5 years since the Congress came to power and there has not been a single case of corruption against CM Siddaramiah or any of his ministers.”
“BJP ministers have several cases registered against them. They are involved in activities that promote violence. If Yeddyurappa believes that he can uproot Congress party from Karnataka, then it is just an illusion. The district in-charge minister, fisheries minister and health minister are from the Congress party and have served the state without any corruption. It is the principle of Congress party that directs each leader to serve the people of the nation,” he added.
MLC Ivan D’Souza, Mayor Harinath, former mayor Ashraf and others were also present.
