Pics: Meryick D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (CLP)

Mangalore, Oct 7: M S Mohammed was sworn in as the new president of Dakshina Kannada District Congress Minority Cell at Shanthi Nilaya, Balmatta, here on Tuesday October 7.

Mohammed assumed charge after symbolically accepting the flag of the Congress party from district incharge minister B Ramanath Rai.

Addressing the gathering, Mohammed said, "I thank the Congress party for choosing me as the new president. I am really grateful to the party for supporting me wholeheartedly from day one as a party worker till date. Congress gives opportunities to people from all sections of the society. I belong to a middle class family, and I will do my best for minority communities in the days to come. Congress has contributed a lot in helping the minorities in India by launching various welfare projects. I feel proud and happy that I belong to such an honest party."

Minister for youth services and sports Abhayachandra Jain said, "M S Mohammed is the right person to climb the post of president. He has great respect for the party. I had been to Incheon, South Korea to attend Asian Games 2014, and did not spend even one rupee of the government. I went as a sports lover with my own expenses. I cheered when India was winning medals for the country. I was there for five days and ate only bread and fruits and lived in a small room. I was the only minister from India who was present during the Games."

He further added, "I appreciate and commend the efforts of M R Poovamma who smashed the Asian Games record to win the gold and made India and Mangalore proud. The government has decided to give Rs 10 lac for all who came first in the Asian Games, Rs seven lac to the silver medal winners and Rs 5 lac to the bronze medallists. The kabbadi and hockey players also will get Rs 10 lac each. We are building new stadiums with synthetic tracks of international standards. I wish all the best to the athletes of the state and hope that they win more medals for India in the Olympics."

MLC Ivan D'Souza said, "M S Mohammed has stood strong during times of crisis in the party and we are ready to give him all our support as he dons the new responsibility. Congress under the leadership of chief minister Siddaramaiah has brought about many welfare works for the poor. The state government has provided 30 kg of rice at the price of Re 1 every month to the poor. All the projects which have been launched by the BJP-led central government have come from the ideas propounded by the Congress. Giving Rs 5,000 at the interest of 11 percent is not a welfare programme. Congress has granted Rs 2 lac to 3 lac to the poor farmers without any interest."

Addressing the gathering, district incharge minister B Ramanath Rai said, "Congress was the key party during the freedom struggle of the country. We always stood for the poor of the society. We see false rumours being spread to defame the leaders of the Congress party. Congress party never initiated any project that would hurt the poor farmers of the country. We initiated many welfare projects through which a farmer could have his own house. BJP is taking the credit for launching 'Jan-Dhan Yojana' which was the dream of Indira Gandhi. It was she who nationalised banks in India and not the BJP. BJP always says that in 60 years, Congress has done nothing. It is a ridiculous remark and people who opposed development projects which were initiated by the Congress are now in favour of them."

Congress district unit interim president Ibrahim Kodijal, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, Puttur MLA Shakuntala Shetty, Mithun Rai, president of district Youth Congress, MLA K Vasanth Bangera and other members of the Congress party were present.