Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Nov 19: A crucial meeting called to discuss the reasons for the bad performance of Congress party in the recently held Mangaluru City Corporation election, ended with bitter arguments among the participants. At certain points, the arguments turned ugly and unpleasant.

The incident happened on Tuesday, November 19 at Congress office in city.

Congress district president Harish Kumar, former MLAs Ramanath Rai, J R Lobo, Mohiuddin Bava, Shakuntala Shetty and other leaders took part in the meeting.

File photo

The bitterness began when former corporator D K Ashok blamed J R Lobo for his defeat. He said an independent Christian candidate was fielded from the constituency to split the votes which resulted in his defeat. He also blamed Mariamma Thomas who was in BJP for asking the voters to vote for Christian candidate instead of Hindu candidate. At that point J R Lobo supporters began exchanging heated words with Ashok. Youth leaders Mithun Rai and former mayor Kavitha Sanil also argued with each other at this time.

When Ramanath Rai was explaining the situation to Mithun Rai, the latter got angry and made attempts to walk out from the venue.

P V Mohan, state secretary of Congress, complained that he was not taken into confidence in important matters and has been sidelined for which Mithun Rai got angry and retaliated. At this point Ramanath Rai intervened and pacified the members.

Some members said that Harish Kumar should vacate his seat for the betterment of Congress.

In the end Mithun Rai apologized to the members, said some sources.

The meeting which began at 11 am lasted till 3 pm, but with only arguments and without any proper review.