Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 20: The district congress committee on Tuesday August 20 observed the birth anniversary of former prime minister late Rajiv Gandhi and former chief minister late D Devraj Urs here at the district congress office.
The birth anniversary was observed and forest, ecology and environment minister B Ramanath Rai offered a garland to their portrait.
Speaking on the occasion, minister Rai said "Rajiv Gandhi and D Devraj Urs have contributed immensely to the development of the nation and have given a clean administration to the country. Rajiv Gandhi being a prime minister at a young age is a role model to all youth."
"It is mainly through the efforts of Rajiv Gandhi that importance was given to women by making provisions for them in the local body elections. Panchayat Raj, development in IT and all others were his contributions. In his political life, he was closely associated with people and was helping them in their needs," he added.
Similarly Devaraj Urs during his term as a chief minister has raised voice against social justice. By implementing various programmes in favor of people, he has brought social change, added minister Rai stating these two great persons as a role model to congress activists.
Speaking about the upcoming by-election, he said Congress will win in the election as Congress government led by chief minister Siddaramaih has been implementing various programmes for people and said congress will fulfill all its promises made in manifesto in their 5 years tenure.
About the controversial statement made by housing minister Ambareesh which stated ‘Siddu as Congress Modi’, minister Rai said "Narendra Modi is not people friendly. One cannot compare a great leader like Siddaramaiah with a person like Modi," he added.
Commenting on Yeddyurappa for rating Congress 3 out of 10, Rai questioned ‘How can a person like Yedyurappa who is responsible for corruption in Karnataka rate congress’
A small incident to catch a minute’s limelight created some commotion. As minister Ramanath Rai was escorted to the dais to garland Rajiv Gandhi and Devraj Urs portrait, all other party leaders began to assemble also around the portrait creating block.
Congress leaders Suresh Ballal, Ibrahim Kodijal, Asha D’Silva, Ivan D’Souza, T K Sudheer, Sadhashiv Ullal, Krupa Alva, Seetharam, Shashidar Hegde, Ashraf, Naveen D’Souza among others were present.