Bantwal: Padayatra has Potential to Catapult Congress to Power - B L Shankar

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Nov 25: "The four-day Padayatra undertaken from Sampaje to Mani will have far-reaching implications on the prospects of our party, and has the potential of catapulting Congress party to power in the next election. This was a model programme, meant purely for the welfare of the people at charge," said former Karnataka assembly speaker, B L Shankar.

He was addressing the meeting organized at Mani in the taluk on the conclusion of the said Padayatra, undertaken to register protest against the apathy of the government in executing the road development work on Sampaje-Mani stretch of state highway.

Shankar felt that the party has to undertake more programmes on these lines in all the constituencies in the state. Pointing out that no party in the state has completed its full term so far except Congress, he predicted premature downfall of the present BJP government soon.

"Congress is backed by a history of 126 years. BJP has been in existence since the last 30 years. JD(S) does not have any history," he said. He also ridiculed BJP for overtaking all previous records as far as corruption is concerned, within three years of its coming to power in the state. Accusing BJP of confining itself to criticizing Congress party, its leaders, and Sonia Gandhi, he vowed to teach a lesson to everyone who heaps unnecessary criticisms against Congress and its leaders.

He said that people who work to divide the society had participated in the convention organized at Mangalore by Hindu organizations. He advised Swamijis not to get involved with worldly affairs, as it gives rise to whipping up of communal passion. He said that Congress works for the destitute, weak, and the exploited.

MLA, former minister, and Dakshina Kannada district Congress committee president, B Ramanath Rai, presided. Explaining that youth are given prominence in the party, he asked the party activists to make preparations to face the next assembly election. He challenged opposition parties to show any leader, who is as benevolent as Sonia Gandhi, who sacrificed power in the interests of the country.

Mangalore MLA, U T Khader, KPCC secretary, Ivan D’Souza, and Pratapchandra Shetty, addressed the gathering. Leaders like MLA, Abhay Chandra Jain, Ashwinikumar Rai, K Harikrishna Bantwal, Mamata D S Gatti, P V Mohan, Venkappa Gowda, Bondala Jagannath Shetty, Kavu Hemanath Shetty, district youth Congress president, Mithun Rai, Pravin Alva, H M Ashraf of Congress Sevadal and a number of other leaders were present.

Zilla panchayat member, M S Mohammed, welcomed. Balakrishna Alva Kodaje presented the programme. Abbas Ali proposed vote of thanks.