Mangalore: District Congress Committee President Ramanath Rai exuded confidence on the victory of the Congress in eight Assembly constituencies in Dakshina Kannada district.
Addressing a press meet here on Tuesday, he said that there is pro Congress wave in the district. The people of the State are tired of BJP’s administration. The BJP-led State government is mired in corruption and maladministration. People are craving for a change. People of the district are aware of the BJP’s move to disturb communal harmony in the district.
To a query on former MLA Vijay Kumar Shetty contesting as an independent candidate from Mangalore North constituency, he said that he was not aware of it. “There were many ticket aspirants for Mangalore North constituency. It is natural for a person and his followers to feel sad when ticket is denied. It was High Command’s decision to give ticket to Bava. “Congress is like a mother. We might fight with mother. However, we will not desert her. Shetty will not create a situation by contesting independently. We will also hold talks with him.”
UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will campaign in Mangalore. The date will be fixed shortly, he said and added that there is a direct fight between the Congress and the BJP.
To a query on splitting of votes with the SDPI and JD(S), Rai said that voters are intelligent enough to make a judgement as to who should be their MLA. “People know whom to defeat. They are intelligent enough to know whom to vote and ensure that there is no division of votes,” he said.
He said that as he will be busy in election campaigning, Kodichal Ibrahim will be acting as the in-charge district president of the Congress.
Ivan D’Souza has been appointed as the convener of in-charge of election in eight constituencies in DK, Sadashiv Ullal and Nazeer Bajal will be helping him in the preparations. KJP leaders joined the Congress on the occasion.
