Don't let your votes get divided, Cong leaders urge minorities

Mangalore, Mar 4: Leaders from minority communities in the Congress party have warned of 'communal' BJP coming back to power if minorities do not vote for the  The leaders have also urged the minorities to see to it that their votes do not get torn between the JD(S), SDPI and other parties.

Speaking at a news conference in Mangalore on Monday, K S Mohammed Masood, Former Chairman, Karnataka State Minorities Commission, said that the discrimination carried out by the BJP administration during its term at the office in the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) was evident.

“Kudroli and Bunder areas continue to face problems of drainage, water and road. The BJP administration did not grant development funds in areas represented by the Congress councilors. Creating interlock roads is no big deal but the BJP is trying to project it as a major achievement. The fact is the executed works are all poor quality works. The BJP has also messed up with the roads concretisation works in the city big time”, he alleged.

Warning minority communities especially Muslims to not get carried away by other political parties playing the secular and pro-minority card, Mr. Masood said that minorities must ensure that they vote responsibly and see to it that votes do not get divided.

“Other parties like JD(S) and even the BJP have fielded Muslim candidates against Congress candidates in some parts of the city. Some other parties like the SDPI are roping in Muslim clergy for election campaigning which is unacceptable. Ustads and Mullas must confine themselves to Masjid duties and not venture into politics”, Mr. Masood said.

Moideen Bava, President, District Minority Cell of the Congress, said that minorities have a huge role to play in bringing Congress back to power.

“To keep BJP at bay, minorities need to vote for Congress. Parties like the JD(S) are creating a divide by pitting Muslim candidates against Congress' Muslim candidates and fielding Christian candidates against Christian candidates of other parties. They have joined hands with the BJP. So is the case with SDPI which seems to be helping the BJP”, Mr. Bava said.

U T Khader, MLA, K Ashraf, Former Mayor, Ibrahim Kodijal were present among other minority leaders of the Congress on the occasion.

J R Lobo is now Vice President of District Congress

Fresh inclusions into the executive committee of the Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee (DKDCC) have been made with the approval of Dr. G Parameshwar, KPCC President.

Former MCC Commissioner J R Lobo has been given the post of Vice President of the DKDCC alongside Former Mayor Hilda Alva and Balraj Rai.

Micheal Patrick Lobo has been appointed Chief Secretary while Balakrishna Shetty and Narayana Kotian have been named as Secretaries.