Mangalore: Over 160 activists from other parties hop into Congress
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, Apr 25: Over 160 activists from various parties like BJP, JD(S), BSR Congress, independents and others on Thursday April 25 joined Congress party.
They were welcomed by Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes by handing over the flag to them at the party election office in Nantoor here.
Shashiraj Shetty, former JD(S) chief secretary, Mohan Padil, former corporator from BJP who had recently joined JD(S), Bhadrakeri Kamalaksha, Independent corporator, Pushparaj, M Kasim, Raju Poojary, Bhasker Shetty, Shivraj, Vasudev, Ganesh Shetty, Ganesh Malli, Umesh Shetty, Pavan Kumar, Sadanand, Harish, Jayaraj were among the 160-plus activists from other parties who joined Congress.
Addressing the media, former union minister Janardhan Poojary said, "The upcoming assembly election is a big battle for us and BJP is our main opponent."
He further added, "From the past 20 years, BJP MLAs have won the elections but during their administration various immoral activities have taken place due to which people are suffering. People are waiting for a change and hence they have decided to support us," he said.
"During Congress Padayatra, when I contacted people, majority of them happily said that they would support us this time as they have lost hopes in BJP. Every single person's vote is precious for us," said Poojary.
Commenting on the newly-joined Congress members, Poojary welcomed them saying that they are now the part of Congress family and asked them to work hard for the elections.
Speaking about Sonia Gandhi's visit which has been postponed by a day to April 27, he said all necessary preparations are going on a full swing and asked people to be present in large numbers.
Speaking to reporters after the press meet, Oscar Fernandes said, "We all know how the state had progressed when Congress was in power, but that progress has come down under BJP’s rule."
When asked about instances of communal tension in and around the city, he termed it as the main problem here and assured to bring back harmony in the city if Congress wins.
Commenting on the Congress manifesto, he said importance has been given to farmers, the poor, on empowering youth, women, labour class and others. When asked about BJP's manifesto, he declined to comment and said, "We will try to fulfil the promises made in our manifesto. Let BJP fulfil their promises if they win."
About former chief minister S M Krishna who had skipped the manifesto release function in Bangalore, Fernandes said that he is with the party and is working hard for the assembly election with other party members.
Ibrahim Kodijal, interim district Congress president, J R Lobo, Nagendra, Suresh Ballal, Ashraf, Rohan Monteiro, Naveen D’Souza, B A Mohiuddin among others were present.
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