Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV/SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 25: Congress rebel candidate for the legislative council election from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, Hakrishna Bantwal, reiterated that he would not return to Congress as far as Oscar Fernandes remains its member. He stressed that his return to his paent party will be out of question as long as Oscar is associated with it in any way.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday December 24, Bantwal said that Congress has not adopted the culture of respecting the efforts of those who work for the party. He said he cannot survive in an environment where workers are treated as bonded labour. He lamented that Congress now does not have an environment where activists are treated like bosses.

"Leaders like Janardhana Poojary, who toiled for the party, have been sidelined. Out of people from backward classes who served the party sincerely, 80 percent have faced injustice," he claimed.

Harikrishna said that he has the support of party activists, as compared to MPs, ministers, and MLAs who are backing Congress and BJP candidates. He said this election will throw up a surprising result in the form of his victory over Pratapchandra Shetty.

He demanded for the adoption of panchayati raj system based on Kerala model, as per which gram panchayat members get Rs 2,000 honorarium per month, while president gets Rs 6,000. They also get travel and food allowances, and that if elected, he said he will fight to introduce this system in the state.