Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MD)

Mangalore, Jun 28: Jubilant Congress party workers on Saturday June 28 welcomed new MLC Ivan D’Souza with garlands and by bursting crackers in front of the district Congress office here.

The interim president of the district Congress committee Ibrahim Kodijal congratulated Ivan D’Souza with a garland.

Kodijal said, "I congratulate Ivan D’souza on behalf of the district Congress committee and the party workers. It is a good tradition to thank the party workers and the leaders by visiting the Congress office after gaining a position of power."

Ivan D'Souza thanked party workers and leaders for the grand welcome and said "I am extremely happy the way all of you have welcomed me. I thank all party workers for coming here and being with me on this special occasion. Through my appointment the Congress has proved to everyone that the it will surely reward any member who works for the party with true dedication."

He further added, "All the ministers, MLAs including J R Lobo, and senior leaders of the party including Oscar Fernandes and chief minister Siddaramaiah have supported me in getting this post. I am thankful to each one of them and assure that I will remain the same and fight for the rights of the party workers and the needy in future. There is no groupism in the party," he added.

Speaking about his plans, he said his main aim is to build the party from the base level. "Even though BJP-led NDA government has come to power at the centre they have shown their true colours to the nation within a month. The Congress party workers need to create awareness about our good programmes by going to every house and bring the party to power in the next elections," he said.

Former mayor Hilda Alva, NSUI president Ashith Pereira, district Seva Dal president Ashraf were among the present at the occasion.