Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Jun 2: In a scathing attack on the Congress, district vice-president of SDPI A M Athavulla on Monday June 1 alleged that Congress workers had assaulted SDPI workers and interfered in the voting process during the recent gram panchayat elections as the Congress was 'scared' of losing to SDPI-backed candidates in the district.

Addressing a press meet here, Athavulla said, "Congress leaders are frightened because SDPI-backed candidates may win the elections. This time in gram panchayat elections we fielded 274 candidates, and as SDPI candidates are sure of winning, Congress is frightened and their workers have attacked SDPI party workers in various places and registered false complaints. They have tried to create tension. Such behaviour does not suit Congress."
Narrating the incidents of alleged attack on the SDPI workers, he said, "In Ariadka, Puttur, the Congress workers violated the model code of conduct. When our party workers complained to the returning officer about this, they were attacked by Congress workers.

"In Thumbe gram panchayat, there was a family dispute between two brothers, among whom one was SDPI worker and another a Congress worker. The Congress leaders used their dispute as an opportunity and told the Congress worker to pick a fight with his brother and create trouble. They even attacked women and children in the house of our SDPI worker, and then gave a political angle to a family dispute and filed a complaint against SDPI workers and leaders," Athavulla said.

"In Jokatte, during the last elections the SDPI candidate was chosen as president of the gram panchayat, but the Congress leaders could not tolerate the good work he was doing. During campaigning this time, they tried to attack SDPI party workers without any reason and gave wrong information to police and election officers. They also forced SDPI candidate Ayesha who was contesting from Jokatte ward to withdraw her nomination. SDPI then went to high court, after which Ayesha was permitted to contest. Only then her nomination was accepted," he said.

"During elections in Kalai and Valachil, Congress workers stopped people from voting and in places like Mahindala and Kodepadavu in Bantwal, they repeatedly tried to create tense atmosphere," he alleged.

"On the day of counting on June 5, there is a chance that Congress leaders and workers would continue their vicious behaviour and disrupt peace and create tension to further their political agenda. Hence the district administration and the police should make arrangements to tackle the situation and take action against those responsible," he urged.

When reporters asked if any formal complaint had been made in the issue, he said a complaint has been given to the SP and a memorandum would be submitted to the DC.

He also alleged that in Puttur, Congressman Hemanath Shetty had issued 'death threat' to SDPI workers, as his brother was contesting with the support of the Congress.

Alphonso Franco, SDPI state secretary, Nawazulla, SDPI district chief secretary, Anwar Sadath, district secretary and others were present.