Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, May 3: “Congress party will be victorious in Karnataka state elections this time. The party has sent Inayat Ali, a capable candidate to the fray. Voters should support Inayat Ali who is considering everybody as equal ignoring differences of religion and caste,” said Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot. He was speaking in a public meeting organised by Mangaluru North constituency Congress candidate Inayat Ali at Surathkal.

“The Congress party has its own history. As it treats everybody as equal, it has not created a ditch between religions or separated them. Therefore, elect Inayat Ali for peace and mutual coexistence,” he said.

Congress party candidate Inayat Ali said that he studied hard during his childhood and got into politics through NSUI. “Oscar Fernandes and Janardhan Poojary are my teachers. There is a conspiracy against me by some of those who have joined hands with the BJP. They have joined rich businessmen and are spreading false news against me. They are saying that I obtained the ticket by paying money. If that is true let them make the evidence public. I will retire from politics, if that is the case,” he said.

“As the BJP candidate cannot face me directly, they have pitched a JD(S) candidate against me. I have not come to politics for position or money but to serve the people. Therefore, I will not say anything about the false accusations against me. My activists who have gathered here will decide about it,” he said.

Ramesh Chennithala, Vidhan Parishat member Manjunath Bhandary, Gurpura block president Surendra Kambali, Surathkal block minority unit president Mohammed Sameer Katipalla, former mayor Shashidhar Hegde, Kavita Sanil, KPCC convener Pratibha Kulai, Surathkal block president Umesh Dandekeri and others were present.

A road show was held from Kana cross earlier. Thousands of activists and party leaders took part.