Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 3: Congress worker from Puttur Hakeem Koornadka has said that he will contest the next Assembly election as an independent candidate if the Congress party gives a ticket to Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai.
Addressing a press conference at the Mangaluru Press Club on Thursday, Hakeem alleged that supporters of Ashok Kumar Rai had assaulted him and questioned his identity as a Congress worker.
He alleged that Rai and his supporters were associating with individuals accused in the murder of former Congress leader Jaleel Karopady and demanded action against them. Hakeem also said he was prepared to approach the court in connection with the matter.
Referring to an incident on September 1, Hakeem alleged that Rai's supporters attempted to assault him while he was addressing a press conference at the Puttur Press House. He said journalists present at the venue intervened and brought the situation under control. He further alleged that after the press conference, the MLA arrived with his supporters and attempted to confront him.
Hakeem urged the police to conduct a fair and comprehensive investigation into the incident without being influenced by political pressure. He demanded that action be taken against those found guilty, irrespective of their political affiliations.
“A public representative is responsible for answering questions raised by the people. Threatening those who ask questions is not the way of democracy,” he said, adding that attempts to silence his voice would not succeed.
Hakeem also urged people to examine Ashok Kumar Rai's political background and the responsibilities he held during his earlier association with the BJP. However, as Rai is now a Congress MLA, he should give priority to the party's principles, the interests of party workers and the problems faced by people in the constituency, he said.
He also raised questions over allegations of poor people being threatened with guns, the police visit to a cockfighting venue in Vittal and other incidents reportedly discussed publicly. He demanded that the truth behind these allegations be established through a proper investigation and that the MLA provide clear answers to the questions being raised by the public.
Hakeem questioned the silence of senior Congress leaders who had previously held various responsibilities in the Puttur region.
“Where are the senior Congress leaders who have worked for the party in Puttur? Why are they remaining silent?” he asked, urging Congress workers and party supporters to introspect on the situation.