Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (VP)

Mangaluru, Apr 15: In order to eradicate communal politics and corruption, and to defeat the BJP while bringing about tangible developmental initiatives in Dakshina Kannada, the leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) convened a mega people's convention at Town Hall on Monday, April 15

Addressing the gathering, Muneer Katipalla, State Secretary of DYFI/CPI-M, stated, "Today, in this mega people's convention, individuals from various associations have assembled here, apart from the Congress party, to lend their support to the INDI Alliance. In Dakshina Kannada, the Janata Dal party (JDS) chose not to align with the BJP. The leader of JDS, Nazeer Ullal, has joined us today. Yesterday, the Prime Minister visited Mangaluru but left without delivering any speech. As the election fervour intensifies, the people of the district were eager to hear Narendra Modi. In the past, the BJP's Dakshina Kannada unit organized displays of his speeches across the city, but today he departed without a word.

“Reviewing the BJP manifesto, it emphasizes issues like the Ram Mandir and Article 370, yet fails to address promises made in previous manifestos, such as generating 2 crore jobs annually. The Prime Minister pledged 'Na Khaunga Na Khane Dunga' (I will neither indulge in corruption nor let others do so), vowing to retrieve black money from foreign and Swiss banks, and claimed that the value of the dollar would decrease, which has not been realized. Despite BJP's assurances, the price of gold has soared to an all-time high. From the Rafale aircraft deal to Electoral bonds, the BJP's corruption is widely acknowledged. The prices of petrol and diesel have surged, exacerbating the burden of loans acquired under the BJP's governance, benefiting only Adani and Ambani.

"The BJP claimed to eradicate corruption, yet they have allied with Ajit Pawar, casting doubt on their commitment. Their manifesto boasts about constructing 3 crore houses for the poor, but the whereabouts of these dwellings remain a mystery. The populace has seen through the BJP's hollow promises and opted to support the India Alliance. In nations like Bangladesh and Pakistan, the ruling parties often leverage military and police forces to stifle opposition during elections. Sadly, a similar trend has emerged in India, where agencies like the IT and ED are seemingly under BJP's control. Despite BJP's assertions, projects like the plastic park in Gurpur Ganjimath, purportedly completed, remain invisible. While substantial funds were allocated for airport development, it is now been handed over to Adani, with little progress evident. Capt Brijesh Chowta's tenure of 14 years has yielded scant achievements beyond organizing Kambala. Chowta advocates for the preservation of cultural traditions like Daiva, Yakshagana, and Kambala, yet the BJP's accomplishments over 33 years in this regard remain dubious.
The anticipation for Modi's floral tribute led many to expect an apology for cancelling the Republic Day tableau. However, his departure without a word left disappointment in its wake," he concluded.

B Shekhar, CPI leader, remarked, "The BJP party has made no significant strides in terms of development, resulting in numerous hardships for the general public. We must pledge not to vote for individuals who prioritize corporate interests over the welfare of our nation. Yesterday, the Prime Minister visited Mangaluru and pledged assistance to farmers, yet today, he remains indifferent to their plight, a scenario mirrored both in our state and in Delhi.

“The BJP exploits underprivileged children for their own political gain, a reprehensible tactic that should not be rewarded, especially in light of recent events in Manipur. It is evident that the Prime Minister's priorities lie with Ambani, Adani, and other businessmen, rather than addressing the concerns of ordinary citizens. Narendra Modi promised to repatriate black money and provide Rs 15 lac to every citizen, alongside generating 2 crore jobs annually. However, the reality is starkly different, with employment figures falling drastically short of expectations.

“Voters are well aware of these discrepancies, emphasizing the need for programmes that foster awareness,” he said.

Dr B K Vishu, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, asserted, "Today, our constitution faces threats of alteration, prompting the formation of the INDI Alliance to safeguard its integrity. The BJP's introduction of religion into politics undermines communal harmony. Despite Dakshina Kannada being renowned as a hub of educated individuals, voting here often occurs along religious lines rather than focusing on developmental issues.

“Local banks originating in Dakshina Kannada have undergone mergers with unprofitable counterparts, leading to name changes and the influx of North Indian personnel. Presently, students are compelled to seek employment outside their home state or even abroad, illustrating the BJP's preference for blind followers ('andh bhakts') over true patriots ('desh bhakts'). Many AAP leaders faced imprisonment merely for questioning the BJP's policies, exposing the charade of governance.

“While Dr B R Ambedkar advocated for education and employment opportunities, the BJP has faltered in delivering on these fronts, instead privatizing vital industries. BJP's electoral victories have often relied on alliances rather than securing outright majorities. The prospect of BJP reclaiming power in Karnataka seems remote," he said.

Nazeer Ullal, leader of the Janata Dal, declared, "We vehemently oppose the fascist BJP party and urge the public to vote for the India Alliance. Mahatma Gandhi envisioned a society where assistance transcended caste and class boundaries. Under the leadership of Jayaprakash, the Janata Dal party was formed. H D Deve Gowda ascended to the role of chief minister of Karnataka and later served as Prime Minister of India. Thousands rallied behind V P Singh to elect him as Prime Minister as well.

“Deve Gowda consistently advocated against aligning with the BJP, yet today, driven by his son's ambitions, he has forged an alliance without consulting party members or leaders. It is imperative that the people of Dakshina Kannada refrain from supporting the BJP and the NDA alliance. To combat communal politics in the district, we must rally behind leaders such as Srinivas Mallya and Ram Chandra Nayak, who prioritize the welfare of the people,” he said.

A book titled ‘Karavali Patana Charitre’, authored by Naveen Soorinje and Muneer Katipalla, was unveiled

Prominent leaders C K Yadav, leader of CPIM; V Kukyan, leader of CPI; Shennan N Pinto, leader of Aam Aadmi Party; Ravikiran, farmers leader; Sitharam Berinja, leader of AIDUC; K Ashraf, former mayor; Allwyn D'Souza, president of Catholic Sabha; Yaseen Kudroli, leader of Muslim Aikyatha Vedike; Krishnan Menezes, leader of student association; B K Imtiyaz, youth leader; Jagatpal Kodikal, leader of AYFI; Keshawathi Bantwal, leader of NFIW; Kariya K, Adivasi leader; M Devdas, BSS leader; Krishnappa Konaje, leader of DHS; Yashwanth Maroli, lawyers’ association; Abdul Naseer of the Waqf board and Ravikiran, Krishnappa Salian, Sunny D'Souza, Manjula Nayak, Dinesh Hegde and others were present.