Mangalore: Chaos, Clash Among Party Workers Mar J R Lobo's Entry into Congress
Pics: Brijesh Garodi / Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG/VM)
Mangalore, Jul 28: Chaos prevailed at district Congress party office here on Saturday July 28 during a ceremony to mark former MCC commissioner J R Lobo's entry into the party.
Daijiworld was the first to break the news of J R Lobo joining Congress on July 25, and accordingly, a function was organized at the Congress office on July 28 to mark his entry. However, the entire programme ended up in a physical fight and clashes among the party workers leaders.
As the programme began, compere Sadashiv took charge and addressed the gathering. However, as there was no mike, his voice was not sufficiently heard. Irked by this, former mayor Ashraf began demanding for a mike, and was soon joined by the party workers.
At this, MLA Ramanath Rai stood up from his seat and began to pacify the crowd, but in vain.
At the same time, supporters of Ivan D'Souza, another aspirant for the Congress ticket for the next elections, began shouting slogans and created further chaos.
The arguments snowballed into physical brawl and chaos in no time. When argument broke out between the two groups, Ashraf tried to pacify AICC member P V Mohan. However, Mohan pushed Ashraf physically which angered the latter, and immediately Ashraf assaulted P V Mohan. This led to chaos among both parties. Some members threw chairs at the Congress leaders. The brawl went on for at least 10 minutes, said eye witnesses.
Though the matter was resolved for a few minutes, a faux pas by the compere while mentioning minister's name created another storm.
Matters were finally resolved, and the formal ceremony took place wherein J R Lobo and other some others joined the party formally. However, the entire programme was marred by slogans from Ivan's group.
Though nobody admitted it, it was apparent that the clash was pre-planned.
J R Lobo, Ivan D'Souza and Ramanath Rai shared the dais during the formal programme, in the presence of mayor Gulzar Banu, party leader Moidin Bawa, and Congress youth leaders Praveenchandra Alva, Mithun Rai, and others.
Press Meet
Soon after the programme, a press meet was held by Ramanath Rai, J R Lobo and Ivan D'Souza.
Addressing reporters, Lobo said that the party representatives can carry out their work only if the party workers support them wholeheartedly. He said that he joined Congress because he was impressed by the party's work for the needy and underpreviliged, and added that he did not get any offer from any other party.
"I am not ashamed of being a party worker though I have held higher posts, the last being member secretary of regional and science centre, Pilikula," he said.
Ramanath Rai brushed aside the chaos and clash at the programme as 'minor' issue and said that it was normal in any party for differences to arise. He insisted that the party workers are united and that the party was strong and ready for the next elections.
Ivan D'Souza chose not to address the press meet, though he was present.
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