Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (EPC/ANK)

Mangaluru, Sep 25: "Karnataka should be the model for development in the country and not Gujarat. Karnataka has surged ahead in development. Chief minister Siddaramaiah-led government has taken up several pro-people programmes. The government has implemented more programmes than promised in the election manifesto and done as promised regarding waiving farmer loans, creation of jobs, investments, rice at the rate of Re one for poor, subsidy for agriculture and education sectors," said KPCC working president Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Speaking during the Mangaluru south block Congress party convention at Town Hall here, Dinesh Gundu Rao said, "The BJP government at the centre has not fulfilled the promises made by it. The economic situation has worsened. Unemployment is rife. Ordinary people are experiencing problems due to demonetisation. There is a sense of fear in the country. Assaults on Dalits and minorities have increased. What has the BJP government which said development is the mantra done during the last three-and-a-half years?" 

"BJP tries to create confusion among people whenever elections approach. There are no allegations against chief minister Siddaramaiah or other Congress ministers. They are not involved in any scams. In the circumstances, BJP is dividing people in the name of religion. BJP which speaks about morality and truth is speaking lies and doing all that is immoral. Social media has been misused by the BJP and Modi's 'Mann ki Baat' has not benefited anyone," he said.

AICC general secretary Vishnunathan said, "Congress' tenure in the state is much more stable than the previous BJP government's. That is why BJP is afraid of the popularity of Congress.

"The state government has introduced 'Mane Manege Congress' door-to-door campaign to reach out to the people. During our visit we saw that J R Lobo is the most loved MLA here because of his development works in his constituency. We have fulfilled almost all the promises made in the manifesto and it is neccessary that this reaches the people, so that they know about the four years of successful governance by the Congress. We have fulfilled 155 promises out 165 promises and the rest we will fulfill soon.

"BJP had promised to bring back black money and to bring down petrol price to Rs 40, but today petrol costs Rs 70 per litre. Chief minister Siddaramaiah has delivered all the promises, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made fake promises. He is only known for delivering speeches.

"A person who performs silently is most excellent of all. The one who does not perform even after promising is vile. Chief minister Siddaramaiah belongs to the group which performs silently. Prime Minister Modi who promised to transfer lacs of rupees to the bank accounts of citizens has done nothing about it.

"Congress is prepared for an open discussion on development. BJP has nothing to speak on this subject. Congress is taking forward everything together in the path of development.

"We intend to meet booth-level activists and unite them as per the instructions of party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. I have seen people who love and respect MLAs here. Different pro-people programmes have made the people trust the government. Indira Canteen has gained good popularity," Vishnunathan said.

MLA J R Lobo said, "Congress has completed four years of successful administration in the state. Through this convention, we should reach out to the people to make them aware of the works done by the Congress. BJP has always spoken of making India a Congress-free nation but it is impossible for them to turn it into reality. We are confident that we will gain the upper hand in the forthcoming elections."

AICC general secretary Vishunathan was felicitated on the occasion.

Party workers remembered Congress leader the late Badruddin to mark his second death anniversary and the stage was named after him.

Dakshina Kannada district Congress president K Harish Kumar presided over the programme. Minister of state for forests and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai, MLA Abhayachandra Jain, Legislative Council chief whip Ivan D’ Souza, government’s Delhi chief representative Salim Ahmed, deputy mayor Rajaneesh, Congress leaders Kallige Taranath Shetty, P V Mohan, Mithun Rai, Vijayakumar Shetty, Suresh Ballal, Ashraf, Vishwasdas, B H Khader, Mohammed Hussain, Mamatha Gatti, Shalet Pinto, Namitha, Shashikala, Appy, Prathibha Kulai, M Shashidhar Hegde, Aboobacker Bajal, Navin D’ Souza, family of the late Mohammed Badruddin and others were present.