Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 28: President of city (south) block Congress here, J Nagendra Kumar, has strongly resented the fact that he has been replaced with a new incumbent by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) ahead of his term. He has urged the party leaders to clarify the position towards warding off misgivings relating to this action.

"I was chosen to this post by way of election held on November 28, 2010. I still have about two months of unexpired term. The normal practice is to hold internal election and then appoint the president. I am pained by the fact that suddenly a new person has been imposed in my place without holding any discussions at the block level," he said at a press conference held here on Wednesday January 27.

Nagendra claimed that he came to know about the appointment of Balakrishna Shetty as president of city (south) block through media reports. He said he contacted KPCC office, district president of the party, in-charge president, and members of legislative council, but all of them said they are ignorant about this development. "I have been working actively for the party, and under my leadership, the party could win 12 seats in the city corporation election. There are no complaints like inertia or anti-party activity against me. Under these circumstances, party leaders owe me an explanation as to why I was changed," he demanded.

Kumar said he belongs to Balyaya community, which is very backward, and that in recognition of this, party leaders had given a chance for himself and his wife to become city corporators. He felt that abrupt decision to remove him is an injustice to his community and making changes at a time when membership drive is on is not in the interests of the party. He said he will adhere to the decision of party leaders, but asked them to clear the confusion by clarifying the above points.

Presidents of different wings within the block Congress, Janardana, Abubakker Bajal, Walter Lobo, Hemant Garody, Harish, Imtiyaz, Shashikant Shetty, and some others were present.