Pics: Spoorthi Ullal 

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Nov 23: Interim district Congress president Ibrahim Kodijal conducted a press meet at congress office here on November 23.

Addressing the media persons interim district Congress president Ibrahim Kodijal said, "In view of the upcoming Zilla Panchayath, Taluk panchayath and legislative council elections preparations are on swing. The recently held udyoga mela under the leadership of district incharge minister was a success. About 225 companies participated in the udyoga mela. About 13,000 aspirants participated out of which around 3,200 were selected and 655 aspirants were selected on the spot".

Today the whole nation is facing a major problem of intolerance. Our constitution has given everyone the right to follow their respective religion. Hate speeches have created trouble in our district and the congress party condemns this. No religion says that one should hate the other religion. This fact should be acknowleged by all political and religious leaders. In the coming days Mangaluru will turn into a smart city. For Mangaluru to be a smart city peace and harmony are important. We say Gandhiji's birth place is India but when it comes to practice some political parties and organisations say they will build a temple for Godse, Gandhiji's assassinator.

On being asked by media persons about the allegations by SDPI that congress and district incharge minister are protecting RSS members, he replied, "SDPI is a communal party. Earlier it was KFD then it became PFI and now they have turned into a political party SDPI. Congress party is against communal forces of any kind be it minority community or majority community, we oppose them."

Former mayor, Shashidar Hegde, corporator, Naveen D'Souza, T K Sudhir, youth congress president, Mithun Rai and others were present.