Pic: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Mar 24: The district Congress on Saturday March 24 thanked the public for turning out in large numbers for the recent 'Janaashirvad' rally by Indian National Congress president Rahul Gandhi in the city and said that it was a proof that 'communal forces' in the district had begun to smell defeat.

Addressing a press meet here, district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai said, "Once again, the citizens of Dakshina Kannada proved that they are with secular ideology by turning out in thousands to Rahul Gandhi's programme held at Nehru Maidan. The communal forces were shocked by the turnout and have started to smell their defeat."

Expressing his gratitude to the public, media and Congress members, he said, "The public who are cheated by the Narendra Modi-led central government expressed their anger by participating in Rahul's rally in large numbers. Now their only hope is Rahul Gandhi and they want to see him as the next Prime Minister.

"Before coming to power, the Modi government had said that within sixty days Rs 15 lac would be deposited in every citizen's account, and within a year crores of employment opportunities would be produced. But four years have passed and the promises are still unfulfilled. To top that, Modi is asking for accounts from the state government and the people. The people of Karnataka have paid taxes and from that they are asking for grants from the centre. So what accountability is Modi and his party talking about? He is functioning like an autocratic emperor of ancient days," he said.

"The Congress government has practiced what it has preached. We have done major developmental works in all the constituencies and the people know it very well. We are confident of winning all eight constituencies in the district in the upcoming elections," he added.

Answering a question on Rahul Gandhi's visit to Kudroli temple, Rai said, "I suggested to the party that Rahul visit Kudroli temple along with visits to Rosario Cathedral and Ullal Dargah. Thousands of people gathered in these places to see and greet Rahul Gandhi. Rahul expressed his satisfaction about the response to the district Congress leaders. In the meeting, he specially mentioned the unity among the district leaders and appreciated it."

Speaking on senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary's role in the upcoming elections, Rai said, "All Congress members are unitedly working for the party. All of us obey the commands from the party headquarters. We are ready to accept any position which is given to Poojary by the party high command."

District Congress president Harish Kumar, party leaders Ibrahim Kodijal, Kavita Sanil, Shashidhar Hegde, and Mamatha Gatti were present.