Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Feb 24: "The results of zilla panchayat (ZP) and taluk panchayat (TP) elections are an indication that Congress government will come to power again in the next Assembly elections," said senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary.

Addressing a press meet at the district Congress office here on Wednesday February 24, Poojary said, "Congress won ten ZPs this time. In 2010, the party had won only four ZPs, so this time we won six more than last time. In contrast, BJP won 12 ZPs in 2010, but this time it could win only seven, so it has lost five. JD(S) won four ZPs in 2010, but this time it won only two.

"This proves the good leadership of the Congress government. Even in taluk panchayat elections, Congress won 61 taluks, whereas last time the number was 31. BJP has won 56 this time, but last time it won 68, so it lost 12. It clearly shows Congress will come to power in the next Assembly elections," he added.

On Congress performing poorly in chief minister Siddarmaiah's home district Mysuru, he said, "The chief minister and BJP's Prahlad Joshi and Jagadish Shettar did not do enough campaigning in their own constituencies, which led to poor performance of their parties. The CM has to look after the entire state, so it cannot be termed as an insult to these leaders.

"The Congress workers should not become overconfident because of these results because then it will be tough for the party. Do more development works and solve serious problems. This is a lesson to the Congress as well as the BJP," he advised.

"Even in Dakshina Kannada, Congress performed better than last, but could not come to power in both ZPs and TPs. Though there are seven MLAs from Congress in the district, they have failed to sit together and discuss the development of the region and there is no coordination between them. Even in the entire Karnataka, in-charge ministers worked in their own ways. The ministers and MLAs should hold a meeting to discuss development works," Poojary said.

In a veiled reference to district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai, he said, "Some in-charge ministers have been concentrating on their own constituency and giving less importance to the rest of the district. If this continues people will not forgive you. The results in Sullia are very bad for Congress. Ministers and MLAs should solve the problems of the people."

Addressing himself to Congress MLAs and ministers without naming anyone, he said, "Have you solved the problems of 9,11 forms, Kumki rights and Yettinahole? Have you responded to these issues? Do you want people to protest over these? Still we have not learnt our lesson. Do you think we should give assurances to people only in manifesto?"

He then addressed the chief minister and said, "Why can't you ask your ministers to go to the people and work for development? You have given a good budget and you are doing such good work. Support the party workers. What have you done for party workers? If there are no party workers there will be no results."

Lashing out at PM Narendra Modi next, he said, "PM Modi has failed to fulfil the promises he made to people. In two years he has not solved their problems. In Delhi, law and order has deteriorated. The Patels who are demanding reservation in Gujarat are saying that Godhra incident was planned by the Sangh Parivar and it was a strategy to bring Modi to power. What does PM have to say on this?

"Today you (Modi) have called your party leaders and asked them to give aggressive answers to the opposition in the Parliament during the upcoming budget session. Why can't you accept a solution given by the Congress and Rahul Gandhi on GST bill?"

On whether his frequent press meets and statements on the chief minister's expensive watch and other issues had not led to Congress debacle, Poojary said, "I held press meets to save the party. There are no internal differences in the party, or else the party would have died. I want to save the party. Even the CM's close associates agreed to auction the watch, if not, the party would have slipped in the entire state. Living a luxurious life is not essential. We are not questioning anyone's personal life, but the issue is not personal when the person is in public life."

Former mayor Mahabala Maarla and others were present.