Holding placards demanding election ticket for Mr. D'Souza and shouting slogans against city businessman Ronald Colaco for allegedly “influencing” Mr. Lobo's candidature, supporters of Mr. D'Souza demanded an explanation from the party leadership as to why Mr. D'Souza had been neglected.
“Ivan D'Souza has worked day and night for the party. He has inspired hundreds of activists to work for the Congress. We want to ask the party leadership as to what his fault is that he has been cornered? We have nothing against Mr. Lobo but party leaders must explain as to why a candidate who joined the party just three to four months ago is given election ticket while Mr. D'Souza, who has been working for the party for years has been sidelined”, an angry activist said.
Amidst slogans of “justice for Ivan” and “Down Down Lobo”, district Youth Congress President Mithun Rai and former Mayor K Ashraf arrived at the spot and spoke to the protestors.
Speaking to media persons later, Mr. Rai said that a section of party workers has been hurt by the high command's decision to prefer Mr. Lobo for the electoral battle but assured that the party will continue to remain focused on the job at hand.
“Yes some of our activists are unhappy over Mr. D'Souza not being given election ticket. We understand their pain and we will bring it before the senior leaders in the party. The district President (B Ramanath Rai) will also address this issue and clarify as to what the high command wants and settle the issue. No matter what, our activists will continue working for the party and none of the protesting activists will go against the party”, Mr. Rai said.
Mr. Ashraf on the other hand continued his attack on senior leader B Janardhana Poojary and accused him of creating an “atmosphere of confusion” for the party workers.
“Senior leaders like Mr. Poojary are confusing the party workers with their stand on the distribution of election tickets. Ivan D'Souza has been working for the Congress party for the last 10 years and has constantly worked towards strengthening the party at ward levels. If the party leadership feels he is unfit to contest elections, there are others like Kallige Taranath Shetty and Suresh Ballal who could have been considered”, Mr. Ashraf said.
Mr. Poojary is also hatching a conspiracy to deny Muslim candidates a shot at the Surathkal constituency, he added.
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