If Cong fields Sorake from DK, we will field a candidate to defeat him: Muslim outfit

Mangaluru, Feb 21: Muslim Sanghatenagala Okkoota, an unofficial umbrella body of a section of Muslim organisations in Dakshina Kannada (DK) has warned the Congress party against fielding former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake from the DK Lok Sabha constituency in looming general elections.

A two-time MLA from Puttur, and a former MP from Udupi, Mr Sorake lost the assembly election from Kaup in 2018, although he had represented it the previous term. Currently the Billava leader is lobbying for Lok Sabha ticket from DK.

Addressing a press conference here today, Okkoota president K Ashraf, who joined Janata Dal last year after quitting Congress, called Mr Sorake an “anti-Muslim.”

“It was because of the support of Muslims of Kaup constituency in Udupi, Mr Sorake had become an MLA in 2013 Assembly polls. However, he is anti-Muslim colour came to light during the last taluk and zilla panchayat elections,” he said.

"In the past Muslim candidates had won zilla and taluk panchayat elections for the Congress in Udupi. But Sorake ensured that Muslims were not given tickets in the last local body elections," complained Mr Ashraf, who had earlier served as the Mayor of Mangaluru.

“What was more shocking was Mr Sorake’s statement that Hindus would not vote for Congress candidates if it fields Muslims. We can never tolerate such statements,” said he said.

“He is an-Muslim. We will never entertain him. We do not want the Congress to field such a candidate from Dakshina Kannada. If it still fields him, Muslim Okkoota will field or support an alternative candidate," he warned.

Muslim Okkoota representatives Mohammad Haneef U, C M Mustafa, Siddiq Talapady, Haris Baikampady, V H Kareem, Ibrahim Kailar, Hidayat Maripalla, K S Aboobakar and P V Raheem were present among others at the press meet.