Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Oct 3: The Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee on Saturday launched the second phase of the Sanghatan Srujan Abhiyan, with the party announcing a comprehensive exercise to strengthen its organisation from the block to the grassroots level across the district.
The programme was discussed at a meeting held at the Congress Bhavan in Mallikatte, where KPCC-appointed observers, district office-bearers and leaders participated. The exercise follows the first phase of the organisational campaign, under which Padmaraj R Poojary was recently appointed as the Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee president.
Dr Anshuman, who is leading the team of observers in Dakshina Kannada, said the second phase has been initiated as per the directions of the AICC and KPCC to strengthen the party organisation at the grassroots.
He said the observers will visit all 17 Block Congress units across the eight Assembly constituencies in Dakshina Kannada. The exercise will involve consultations with existing block presidents, district and state-level office-bearers, former elected representatives and leaders of various frontal organisations.
“The objective is to identify committed leaders at the grassroots and strengthen the organisation through a transparent process,” Dr Anshuman said.
He added that applications can be submitted by those interested in taking up organisational responsibilities. For various posts, a panel of three to five names will be recommended, with the party instructed to ensure representation of women and follow the principle of social justice.
The observers have been asked to complete their review of all 17 blocks and submit their report to the KPCC by October 30.
Block-level meetings scheduled
As part of the first phase of the campaign in the district, meetings have been scheduled on October 8 and 9.
On October 8, meetings will be held at Kadaba at 10.30 am and Sullia at 2.30 pm. On October 9, meetings are scheduled at Puttur at 9.30 am, Vitla at 12.15 pm and Uppinangady at 3.30 pm.
The observers said the process would subsequently focus on strengthening organisational structures at the panchayat and booth levels.
Focus on MCC polls, SC/ST issues
District Congress president Padmaraj R Poojary said preparations for the upcoming Mangaluru City Corporation elections were also discussed at the meeting.
He said corporators and former candidates were brought together to discuss strengthening the party organisation and accelerating preparations for the civic polls.
Poojary also said discussions were held on securing additional grants for development in areas covered under the party’s manifesto, particularly issues concerning SC/ST communities. He said the party would pursue the matter with the government and the district in-charge minister.
He further referred to issues concerning DC Manna lands affecting SC/ST and backward communities and said the in-charge minister had assured that appropriate steps would be taken.
The meeting also passed resolutions congratulating the state government over the Cabinet meeting held in Mangaluru and the announcements concerning coastal development. The district Congress also welcomed the government's decision relating to recognition of Tulu, according to Poojary.
Congress raises Form 7 issue
The press conference also saw Congress leaders raise allegations regarding the use of Form 7, which is used for objections to names in electoral rolls.
KPCC spokesperson U T Farzana alleged that Form 7 had been misused in Beltangady to seek deletion of voters' names from electoral rolls. She claimed that 45 names had been submitted in certain booths and alleged that minority voters were among those targeted.
Farzana demanded criminal action against those who, according to the Congress, had submitted false applications. She said the party would continue to oppose any attempt to remove genuine voters from electoral rolls.
These allegations come amid an ongoing political dispute in Karnataka over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. KPCC president B K Hariprasad has also publicly raised concerns over the revision exercise and alleged irregularities.
Congress leaders at Saturday’s meeting said protecting every eligible citizen’s voting rights was essential and called for action against anyone found guilty of submitting false information.
Party aims to strengthen organisation ahead of future elections
Dr Anshuman said the organisational exercise was intended to create a stronger cadre-based structure by identifying leaders at different levels and consolidating feedback from party workers.
He said the observers would submit their recommendations to the KPCC after completing consultations across the district.
The meeting was attended by DCC vice-president Subhodaya Alva, KPCC spokesperson U T Farzana, Women’s Congress president Arpitha, Youth Congress president Nawaz, along with leaders including T K Sudhir, Bharatheesh and Yogeesh, besides other district office-bearers and party workers.