Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (NJC)

Mangaluru, Sep 26: Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee president-designate Padmaraj R Poojary on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the election commission and the BJP, accusing the poll body of compromising its credibility and alleging that the opposition was politicising issues concerning Tulu language and coastal development.

Addressing a press meet at the Congress Bhavan in Mallikatta, Poojary said the election commission is a crucial pillar of democracy and must uphold the principle of ‘one person, one vote'. He alleged that recent actions of the poll body had raised serious questions about its credibility.

Referring to objections reportedly raised by election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, Poojary alleged that the concerns had not been given due consideration by chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

He said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had earlier raised concerns over alleged ‘vote chori' and claimed that subsequent developments had strengthened those concerns. He announced that, following directions from the Congress high command and KPCC, the Dakshina Kannada Congress would hold a protest march on Monday from Mahaveer Circle (Pumpwell Circle) to the deputy commissioner’s office in Mangaluru.

Congress leaders, elected representatives, office-bearers and workers are expected to participate in the protest, he said, while also appealing to members of the public who believe in democracy and the constitution to join.

Poojary further demanded the resignation of the chief election commissioner and called for an investigation and legal action over the allegations raised by the Congress.

‘Tulu recognition is a matter of pride’

Poojary also criticised former BJP MP Pratap Simha over his reported comments questioning the significance of recognition accorded to Tulu.

He said the recognition of Tulu as the state's second additional official language was a matter of pride for the people of Tulu Nadu and credited the Congress-led Karnataka government for the decision.

“Instead of looking at everything from the perspective of profit and loss, the sentiments of the people must be respected,” Poojary said, urging Simha to apologise to the people of Tulu Nadu.

He also appealed to BJP leaders from Dakshina Kannada to respond to the remarks and clarify their position on the issue.

Defends Mangaluru Cabinet meeting, 17,000-crore projects

Poojary highlighted the Karnataka Cabinet meeting held in Mangaluru and said the government had demonstrated its commitment to the development of the coastal region.

He said projects worth around 17,000 crore had been announced for Dakshina Kannada, covering infrastructure, ports, roads, transportation, drinking water and other development works.

He also criticised BJP leaders for not pressing the Union government for a greater share of central tax revenues for Karnataka.

Poojary said the State government’s decision to delegate powers relating to certain properties measuring less than 1,000 square metres to local authorities would help address issues faced by the public.

He also referred to the proposed expansion of facilities at Wenlock District Hospital, including an increase of around 400 beds.

Calls for restraint in political protests

Reacting to the BJP’s recent protest, Poojary said democratic protests were welcome but urged political leaders to maintain dignity in their language and conduct.

He criticised the use of personal remarks and allegedly disrespectful language during protests, saying such behaviour could bring disrepute to the cultural values of Tulu Nadu.

“Criticise us when we are wrong and alert us to our mistakes, but do not do anything that makes the people of Tulu Nadu hang their heads in shame,” he said.

Poojary also defended the Congress government’s five guarantee schemes, claiming that the party had fulfilled its promises after facing criticism from the BJP before the elections.

He accused the BJP of later adopting similar welfare guarantees in other states and alleged that some such schemes were subsequently discontinued.

“The people are watching,” Poojary said, calling on the opposition to focus on constructive criticism and development.