Mangalore: Congress primary - Three candidates in race for coveted ticket
 
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Feb 28: Three candidates from Congress on Friday February 28 filed their nominations for the internal election or primary that would decide on who would fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Mangalore with Congress ticket.

The three candidates are veteran Congress leader Janardhan Poojary, new entrant Harsha Moily and businessman U Kanachur Monu.

They submitted their nominations to the Lok Sabha returning officers Preniel Nair and Pramod Kumar.

U K Monu, who was the first to file the nomination, told media persons, "I am cent percent confident of winning the internal election. There is no question of losing. The Congress party has provided us an opportunity to participate in the election and I have made use of it."

Asked why there was confusion over Lok Sabha candidate in the Congress party, he said, "Confusion will be there till March 9 when the results are declared. But whoever wins, we will support him wholeheartedly and defeat BJP."

Janardhan Poojary who was next in line to file his nomination said, "I came to file my nomination today with the blessings of the people. I have full confidence that people will choose me, as they know how I have served them and the party and responded to people's problems."

He added, "It is responsibility of Congress members to choose the right leader for the constituency. They have an opportunity to vote, and hence they should consider their choice thoroughly, think over it and then vote for the person who they feel would win the Lok Sabha election. This process is taking place not just in Mangalore but in 16 constitencies across the country."

Harsha Moily, son of union minister Dr M Veerappa Moily was the last to file the nomination. Speaking to the media later, he said, "I have met all members of taluk panchayat, zilla panchayat, Youth Congress and block Congress committees, and held meetings with them. There is no reason why I cannot participate in the election as a candidate.

"I am confident of getting votes and winning the election," he added.

Asked to comment on the controversial Yettinahole project, he said, "The project poses no problem to the coast. It is a drinking water project, but we need to clarify this to the people. It should not be politicized as it is just a project to provide drinking water."

On the bandh called for March 3 over the Yettinahole issue, he said, "It is the people who will face problems because of the bandh."

Regarding the general feeling that he was not familiar with party workers being a new face in the Congress, he said, "I have been attending party meetings for the last four months and talking to people. Even my father (Veerappa Moily) is from here and has worked a lot for this region. Hence I am confident that people will surely vote for me."

The final list of candidates will be displayed in DCC office on March 2. The internal election will be held on March 9 and the results will be declared the same day.