Addressing media persons at a news conference in Mangalore on Wednesday, Mr. Poojary sought to clarify that a false propaganda is being spread in the region that the Congress party has been hit by internal rebellion.
“There is no confusion. Everyone has a right to demand election ticket irrespective of caste and religion. But it is Congress' culture that once the high command takes a decision, all loyal partymen abide by it”, Mr. Poojary said.
On the issue of fellow Congressman Vijay Kumar Shetty intending to contest the election as an independent candidate in the wake of a ticket being denied to him in the Surathkal constituency, Mr. Poojary said that he had spoken to Mr. Shetty and sorted the matter out.
“I told Vijay Kumar Shetty that he is one of the key people in the region who have worked for the Congress party over the years. I told the same to his followers and party workers of the region and asked them and Mr. Shetty as to whether they would want to kill the party and allow the BJP to reign supreme again. Like a true Congressman, Mr. Shetty decided against contesting as an independent candidate and has expressed his willingness to work for the party during this election. Same is the case with Hemaraj Shetty in Puttur. They have put the party before their individual interests now and have become role models for others in the party”, Mr. Poojary said.
The veteran leader however did not say the same about Vasanth Salian who has decided to contest from the JD(S) in Kaup. “Do not cheat the party Mr. Salian. It was I who helped you in getting a ticket for the first time. Do not turn your back on the party because you lost”, Mr. Poojary said.
Rubbishing the charge that the Congress has been over-compassionate towards minority candidates in distributing tickets in the district this time, Mr. Poojary said that the decision of the party high command is based on the secular principles it believes in.
“There are allegations that we have appeased minority candidates more this time. Out of the total 13 constituencies in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district, 4 have been given to minority candidates including 2 Muslim, 1 Christian and 1 Jain. What about the rest of the 9 constituencies? Are they not Hindus? This is also used as a ploy by the BJP to cash on Hindu votes. But all this is false propaganda against us. We have distributed tickets based on the secular principles we believe in. How many Christian and Muslim candidates is the BJP fielding?” Mr. Poojary asked.
On the issue of the bomb blast near BJP office in Bangalore, Mr. Poojary said that he is not aware as to who is behind the blast or what the actual status is but maintained that strict action must be taken against the culprits no matter which party or group they belong to.
Briefing about the Congress party's election preparations, Mr. Poojary said that AICC Chief Sonia Gandhi will be visiting Mangalore for poll campaign but refused to reveal the date of her visit.
Informing that he will personally carry out 'Padayatras' in the region to campaign for the party, Mr. Poojary said that more importance would be given to Sullia, Puttur and Mangalore (North) constituencies where Congress has been relatively weaker over the years.
U T Khader, party candidate for Mangalore (Ullal) constituency, J R Lobo, party candidate for Mangalore (South) constituency, Kodijal Ibrahim, Interim District President of the party, were present among other Congress leaders.
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