Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (VP)

Mangaluru, Apr 20: Former MLC Ivan D'Souza criticized the previous MPs of Karnataka, stating that out of 28, 25 MPs do not even speak a word in the parliament. He also criticized the BJP party and responded to today's newspaper advertisement, stating that in 10 years, all the citizens received was a chombu.

Addressing the media at the Congress office in Malikatte on Saturday, April 20, former MLC Ivan D'Souza said, "Today, the state BJP and JD(S) leaders should receive gate passes. Out of the 28 MPs we have selected, 25 MPs do not even speak a word in the parliament. They have not addressed issues regarding funds or proposed new plans. The BJP MPs are non-performing assets, and in five years, we have lost Rs 1,85,000 crore. Despite having a double engine government, they have failed to speak in parliament.

"The BJP should not be elected, and if they are, it would be unjust to the people. Some MPs do not participate in debates and rarely attend parliament. The Congress party has placed advertisements in newspapers exposing the reality of the BJP government: in 10 years, the BJP has only given us empty promises. They pledged Rs 15 lac, doubling farmers' incomes, and providing drought relief, yet during their tenure, only Rs 18.5 crore out of the promised Rs 35 crore was delivered. The BJP leaders refuse to address these issues, so they should not be chosen as MPs. The people of the state are questioning their unfulfilled promises to reduce inflation rates. Instead, prices have skyrocketed, and their solution to unemployment was telling students to sell pakodas while selling off companies to conglomerates."

"The BJP party claimed that Nalin Kumar Kateel was the best MP, so why was he denied a ticket? Why did slogans of 'Shobha, go back' erupt? The BJP is not going to return to power again. As a screening member of AICC, I can assure that people are happy after the Bharath Jodo Yatra and Bharath Jodo Nyaay Yatra."

"A girl was tragically killed, and we extend our condolences to the family. However, Shobha comes out of nowhere and claims that it happened because of Congress involvement. The accused was promptly taken into custody, and appropriate legal actions will be pursued. BJP MPs are apprehensive because they have nothing substantial to present to the people and seek votes. BJP claims 'sabka sath sabka vikas’, but where are minorities in your party? We believe that politics can intersect with religion, but religion should never influence politics. I have personally campaigned to every household, inquiring about guarantees, and the majority of Dakshina Kannada's population is benefitting from Guarantee schemes," he said.

When the media asked about the perceived lack of unity among the India alliance, Ivan D'Souza responded, "Occasionally, distractions arise during elections, but the primary goal of the India Alliance is to defeat the BJP party. I have even held discussions with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, and it's evident that those who oppose the BJP will never support them."

Regarding former mayor and Congress leader Kavitha Sanil's defection from the party and the contribution of Congress MPs in parliament, Ivan D'Souza stated, "Kavitha Sanil has chosen to defect from the party, and it is her personal decision. Congress MP DK Suresh raised his voice for the Mekedatu project, but unfortunately, we did not receive any support."

Shashidhar Hegde, Ashraf Ramanand, John, Manoj, Shubodaya Alva, Padmaprasad Jain and others were present.