Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Feb 3: Sandalwood actress Bhavana, who is a star campaigner for the Congress, on Saturday February 3 urged the people of Dakshina Kannada to speak up against forces that disupt communal harmony in the district. She also said that she was an aspirant for the Chitradurga Assembly seat, but will leave the decision to the Congress.

Addressing media persons during her visit to the city, Bhavana said, "I have a close relationship with Dakshina Kannada. The people here are well-educated and intelligent. But nowadays this district is making headlines for negative news, especially murders which later turn communal. I cannot understand why the people of Mangaluru are tolerating such things. Why are they not speaking up?" she said.

"If the citizens of Dakshina Kannada move forward together, they can definitely throw out the forces that are creating tension in society.

"It is a wonder that the educated citizens of this district are not protesting against the central government's policies like demonetisation that badly affected the common people," she added.

"I am aspirant for Chitradurga constituency seat. If the KPCC allows me, I will definitely contest. There are other aspirants also in our party for Chitradurga seat, so I am not going to demand a ticket. As a Congress worker I will campaign for the party without any condition," she said.

Lauding the Congress government in the state, she said, "The Siddaramaiah-led regime is the country's first state government to work for the poor and fulfil all the promises made in its election manifesto. It is a people's government and model for all."

District Congress president Harish Kumar condemned the smearing of ink on Indira Gandhi's portrait at the under-construction Indira Canteen in Suratkal. "We condemn the act. This was done by people who are opposing provision of food for the poor and the common man. When Indira Canteen was started in Bengaluru, the BJP tried to defame the project by creating fake news on its quality, but later it got exposed. Indira Canteen is one of the best projects of the state government, giving quality food for low prices. Everyone can buy this food without any barriers like rich and poor," he said.

District Mahila Congress president Shalet Pinto, ZP member Mamatha Gatty, ZP member, and corporators Appi, Lavanya Ballal, Shobha and Manjula were present.